


COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 








Prince Frederick 

and 

The Dawn of the Reformation 


TRANSLATED FROM THE FIFTH EDITION 

OF THE GERMAN OF RICHARD ROTH 

*1 


MARY E. IRELAND 


Reformation Series, Vol. IV. 


1913 

The German Literary Board 

BURLINGTON, lA. 


Copyright, 1913 

By R Neumann, Burlington, Ia. 



©CI.A361244 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

1 . A Bear Hunt in Franconia 5 

II. Lost in the Forest 12 

III. The Mark oe Brandenburg 21 

IV. A Young Harbinger op the Coming Reformation 30 

V. The New Governor-General 40 

VI. The Battle by the Kremmer Dam 50 

VH. The Double Ban op the Empire 61 

VHI. In A Place op Repuge 75 

IX. The Fortunes op War, 92 

X. The Faithful Servant 105 

XL Honors for Frederick Von Hohenzollern 116 

XIL The Von Quitzows Again 123 

XIII. Many Changes 136 

XIV. An Enemy Turned Friend 150 

XV. Back to Franconia 161 



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1 


Prince Frederick 

and 

The Dawn of the Reformation 

CHAPTER I. 

A Bear Hunt in Franconia. 

It was Sylvester day, in the year 1408, and the old 
year was not giving place to its successor with smiling 
countenance; instead, the heavens wore a dull gray hue, 
and a cold mist lay drearily upon mountain and valley. 
Wild gusts of wind dislodged snow from the branches, 
and the rooks which had been resting high in the leaf- 
less trees, flew cawing away at the sound of a footstep. 

In the distance could be heard the barking of foxes, 
and the howling of wolves, for it had been a bitterly 
severe winter, and wild animals were suflfering from 
cold and hunger. 

Near an untraveled path that lay between two roads 
leading through the forest, was a hut, which at first 
sight might be mistaken for a mound of earth; but it 
was the dwelling of Walter Hagener, forester and hunts- 
man of Prince Frederick Von Hohenzollern — Burgrave 
of Nuremberg. 

The doorway was so low, that Walter — a tall, robust 
man, — bent his head and shoulders in passing out to 
join in the hunt which was to take place that day. 


5 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


He wore a doublet of thick green cloth, a cap of fox- 
skin, decorated with an eagle feather, and high-top boots. 
A cross-bow and arrows hung from' his shoulder, at his 
side was a huntsman's knife and a bugle-horn, and in his 
right hand, a hunting-spear. 

“A miserable day for a hunt,” he said to his son, 
Arnold, a strong, stout boy of thirteen, who had followed 
him out. “I wish I could remain at home with you and 
your sister Korbula.” 

But father, must I stay in all day, and not see any- 
thing of the hunt?” asked the boy anxiously. 

“If Korbula is not afraid to stay alone during the 
din of the hunt, you may go out when you hear the 
hunters nearing the bear’s cave.” 

“O, thank you, father!” cried Arnold, with beaming 
eyes, “I am sure that Korbula will let me go.” 

“It is indeed a miserable day for a hunt;” repeated 
the father, glancing up at the sullen clouds ; “I can only 
hope that the Burgrave Frederick will give it up for to- 
day ; but I can scarcely expect it ; he is not one to give 
up or put off anything he undertakes.” 

The forester strode away and was soon lost to the 
sight of the watching boy, as he wound his way between 
the trunks of trees, past clumps of thick underbrush and 
the low branches that hung over his path. 

In the distance he could occasionally see a deer nibbling 
at the wiry tufts of grass that showed above the snow; 
but hungry as it undoubtedly was, it fled before its 
enemy — man. 


6 


A Bear Hunt in Franconia, 


From behind a clump of bushes a wolf glared at him 
with voracious eyes ; he thrust at it with his spear, which 
shook the snow from the branches; the animal fled 
through the forest, and he heard its mornful howl in the 
distance. 

At length he became conscious of a sound that caused 
him to halt, put his hand behind his ear and listen. It 
was a sound he well knew, that of a bugle, calling all to 
meet, and he hastened his steps, for princes and other 
noblemen do not wish to wait for their servitors, espe- 
cially upon the day of a great hunt. 

‘‘Then they are really preparing for a start,” said the 
forester to himself ; “I have never before known of a 
hunt on Sylvester day, the eve of our blessed New Year.” 

From the high point Hagener had reached, he looked 
down into the valley upon a company of at least a hun- 
dred horsemen, all of them knights and other noblemen 
of beautiful Franconia. 

All were richly dressed and wore costly furs at throat 
and wrist, were mounted on fine horses, and each had 
cross-bow, hunting knife, spear and bugle. 

In the centre of the cavalcade, upon a splendid black 
horse, rode Frederick Von Hohenzollern, Burgrave of 
Nuremberg; and upon his youthful, handsome face was 
a look of keen interest in the prospect of a successful day. 

Besides him, upon a milk-white horse, rode his lovely 
wife — the Princess Elizabeth, esteemed by everyone for 
her many virtues, among them, her helpfulness to the 
poor and the afflicted. There could be no princely pair 

7 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


more beloved and honored than were the Burgrave Fred- 
erick and his beautiful wife. 

The whole company were members of the nobility of 
Franconia, but following them were many who were not 
of the great of the earth, who did not ride upon fine 
horses, wear costly raiment, nor have bright weapons. 

These were the peasants, whose duty it was to drive 
the wild animals from their covert, many of them carry- 
ing cudgels, others short, rusty spears or their working 
implements, kept always near at hand as a protection 
against wild animals. 

With them were wagons bearing nets, ropes, decoys, 
and other things required for hunting, also a bountiful 
supply of good food and drink which was to add to the 
enjoyment of the day. 

Hagener hurried down to join them and was cordially 
greeted by the young Burgrave, who had great esteem 
for the trustworthy forester who had many a time in- 
formed him where the finest deer could be captured, or 
a bear’s den could be found. 

Yes, and more than once they had met danger to- 
gether, and had not deserted each other, although one 
was a prince and the other a poor forester. 

“Bad weather for hunting, Hagener,” said the Bur- 
grave, calling attention to the large flakes of snow that 
were settling like stars upon the rich hunting costumes 
of the horsemen, and the gay, trappings of the horses. 

Yes, gracious Prince, and I fear it will grow worse 
as the day wears on, much snow and perhaps a high 
wind.” 


A Bear Hunt in Franconia. 


'‘I would be sorry for that,’’ commented the Burgrave, 
casting an anxious glance upon his wife, and then up at 
the clouds which were fleeing before the wind like fright- 
ened sheep followed by wolves; “but good huntsmen 
should not be kept back by a little snow; have you 
tracked to his den that huge bear that has been such a 
terror to the region about us. I don’t wish the new 
year to find him living.” 

“Yes, I have found it, and it is a long distance from 
here; it is beyond my hut in the valley.” 

“Then we must hurry, Hagener; w-e must not let the 
storm: drive us home before we dispatch him.” 

“The hunt should begin now and here, gracious 
Prince.” 

With youthful eagerness the Burgrave gave the order, 
and the hunt began. No hill was too high, no path too 
rough, no chasm too wide for the well-trained hunting 
horses to make their way; every one was in the hunt 
except the wagoners; they remained in the valley with 
their wagons. 

The great forest was now teeming with life and 
sound ; bugles played, peasants shouted, hounds bellowed, 
and wolves and foxes, the gentle roe and the stately deer, 
and other denizens of the forest, terrorized by the noise, 
ran wildly about, and were caught in the ropes and nets 
and killed with the spears and arrows of the hunters. 

It was past noon when they reached the valley in 
which the bear had his den. 

The Princess Elizabeth had followed the hunt, but in 


9 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


the attack upon the bear, the Burgrave wishing her to 
run no risk of danger, advised that she remain upon a 
high point overlooking the valley, and left his shield- 
bearer, a tall, slender boy, as protection. 

As expected, the hunters found the bear in his den. 
The attack was made, and a little later, amid the din of 
the hunt, the princess and the young nobleman heard a 
growling, snarling sound which caused their pulses to 
thrill with horror. 

“Let us ride nearer the hunters,’’ said the princess, 
for though brave, she knew the danger, and they were 
about to flee from the spot, when they heard the crushing 
of the snow under heavy pressure, the bushes cracked, 
their horses snorted and reared, and the shield-bearer, 
pale from fright, dropped his spear as the wounded bear 
with distended jaws rushed toward the princess. 

The hunters were in hot pursuit, but the bear would 
not have waited for them, had not Arnold Hagener 
rushed through the thicket, caught up the spear of the 
young shield-bearer, and thrust it down the throat of 
the enraged monster. 

It fell to the earth unable to rise, and was quickly dis- 
patched by the hunters who first reached the spot. 

The princess was very pale but composed, and when 
the Burgrave rode to her side, they clasped hands, and 
raised their eyes to heaven in devout thankfulness. 

“But where is the brave boy who saved your life?” 
exclaimed the Burgrave, looking about him: 

But no one knew; he had disappeared the moment 


10 


A Bear Hunt in Franconia. 


the bear fell, and the shield-bearer was so humiliated at 
the sight of a boy of thirteen becoming the protector be- 
cause of his failure in being so, and so horrified at the 
sight of the bear, that he could not speak. But the 
princess described the boy as handsome, with brown hair 
and eyes, regular features and a manly, earnest cast of 
countenance. 

The Burgrave sent several of his people to search for 
him, but they returned with the report that he could not 
be found, and he impatiently resolved that he would 
seek him, believing that he could not be far away. 

It was now nearly evening of the short winter day, 
and all were looking anxiously toward a warm fireside 
and a hot supper, but out of courtesy they could not dis- 
band without the order of the Burgrave, and he was 
not there to give it. 

Another reason for remaining was, that the princess 
was in terrible anxiety in regard to his prolonged ab- 
sence, and had sent messengers in every direction, but 
they returned without having seen, or heard of him. 

The whole company waited some time longer, but listen 
as they did, they heard nothing but the howling of the 
wind among the leafless trees. 

It was now twilight, and it was no light matter to re- 
main upon that high point of land in a fierce snow storm, 
and with a heavy heart the princess gave orders for re- 
turn. 


II 


CHAPTER II. 

Lost in the Forest. 

The hunt was over for the day, and after seeing the 
horsemen leave for their homes, Walter Hagener set 
out in the direction of his cabin. 

He was cold, weary and hungry, for they had taken 
no time, owing to the snow-storm, to partake of the food 
provided by the burgrave, night was coming on, and 
the snow was swirled so rapidly by the wind that he 
could scarcely see three steps ahead. 

He had lived all his life in the forest, and knew the 
way through it as well as if it were the one room of his 
cabin; but his experience as forester and hunter availed 
him nothing; he became bewildered by the whirling 
snow, and could not find the path to his home. He asked 
himself which direction was north, and which south, but 
could not answer the question. The wind drove the sleet 
against his face, and he must halt and turn from it in 
order to regain his breath, then he went forward as 
quickly as his strength would permit, for his feet seemed 
leaden. 

At length he came to the upturned roots of a fallen 
tree; it furnished shelter and he sat down to rest, and 
thus gain strength for further exertion. 

Oh, how sweet was rest to the exhausted man! A 
pleasant warmth stole over him; he was very sleepy 
and could not summon courage to leave the spot. His 
head rested upon the earth among the roots, his eyes 


12 


Lost in the Forest. 


closed in slumber, and the snow wove a pure white wind- 
ing sheet about him. 

His two children — Arnold and Korbula — were in the 
meantime watching and waiting for him, and were keep- 
ing bright the fire of pine-knots upon the broad hearth, 
that its light might shine through the small window and 
be a guide to the way-farer. 

The wind howled about the cabin and seemed as if 
trying to break through the weak door, or shatter the 
poor window, but the boy of thirteen and the girl of 
eight talked hopefully of the father’s return, and of the 
holiday on the morrow, when he would remain at home 
with them. 

Although the snow was now deep, their alert ears de- 
tected the steady beat of a horse’s hoofs, and Arnold 
went to the window and peered out. 

Yes, there upon a large, coal black horse, sat the state- 
ly form of a man, so covered with sleet that his gar- 
ments sparkled in the gleam of light from the window. 

^‘Who lives here?” he asked. 

"‘Walter Hagener, the Burgrave’s huntsman and for- 
ester.” 

“Thanks and praise be to God! Is he at home?” 

“No, gracious Herr,” replied Arnold, noticing that he 
was one of the noblemen who had taken part in the 
hunt that day. 

“What!” was the anxious exclamation; “then like 
myself, he has lost his way in the forest. If I had this 
day to live over again there would be no hunt. I have 


13 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


not seen your father since early in the evening when 
we unearthed the bear. But do not be anxious, my boy ; 
he knows the forest well, and if he does not come to- 
night he will be here by daylight. I am deeply sorry 
that we got separated in the hunt.” 

“Did you wish any help from father?” asked Arnold. 

“Yes; I do not know the way out of the woods, and 
have been wandering around since it grew dark.” 

“I can show you the way out; I know the way to the 
the main road as well as does my father, if my little 
sister Korbula is not afraid to stay alone, I will go.” 

“No, I am not afraid; I will stay alone;” said the 
little girl. 

“Then, come in God’s name, my boy; you will be do- 
ing me one of the greatest of favors.” 

Arnold shut the window, put on a pair of boots, a 
warm jacket, a fur cap and a comfort over his ears, and 
taking a stick in his hand he went out. 

The great black horse was tired and very gentle; it 
allowed Arnold to lead it, and in less than half an hour 
the highway was reached and the traveler could not fail 
to reach home without further trouble. 

“Now, my boy,” he said gratefully, “as soon as it be- 
comes daylight, I will send out men to search for your 
father, and bring him home to you.” 

“Oh, will you?” cried Arnold, eagerly. 

“Yes, and now give me your hand, my boy, and prom- 
ise me that if for any cause and in any way you need 
help, you will come to the castle in Nuremberg and ask 


14 


Lost in the Forest. 


to see the Burgrave Frederick;” and he pressed a coin 
in Arnold’s hand. 

“I will,” replied the boy, for father has often told us 
of the goodness of the gracious Burgrave; but please 
take back the money; I cannot keep it for doing you 
such a little service as showing you the way out of the 
forest.” 

“It was not a little service; you may perhaps have 
saved my life.” 

“But I cannot take it;” and Arnold held on to the 
stirrup and placed the coin in the hand of the giver. 

“Well, this is the first time I have known a boy to 
refuse money. I must find some other way to return 
the favor. I hope we will meet again ; now, I can only 
thank you heartily for your kindness. Good-night ;” and 
the prince rode away in the darkness. 

When Arnold reached home, he found his sister alone ; 
their father had not come. 

“I will not sleep, but will watch, and keep up the fire 
to give light for father,” he said. 

“Then I will watch with you,” replied Korbula. 

“No, sister, I am older and stronger than you; do 
you sleep, and when you wake I will lie down.” 

The clock struck twelve. “It is the blessed New 
Year,” said the children ; we have watched the old year 
out.” 

For a little while longer they talked of the simple pleas- 
ure promised them by their father; then the drooping 
lids shut over the blue eyes of the little girl, and she 
dropped gently down upon the settle and slept. 

IS 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


All had grown still outside the cabin; the wind had 
subsided, the sleet ceased to beat against the window 
and door, and toward morning, nature asserted itself ; 
the boy’s head rested upon the back of the settle ; he, too, 
slept until the sun’s rays peeped through the little win- 
dow of the cabin. 

At daylight four men sent by the Burgrave Frederick 
had searched in the forest for Walter Hagener; had 
found him and had brought his body to the cabin upon 
a bier, made of the branches of the fallen oak. 

With his head upon its roots he had fallen to sleep 
never to waken upon this earth, and his children were 
orphans. 

“Korbula, father has come, and it is New Year,” 
cried Arnold, rousing from his sleep when he heard 
footsteps upon the hard snow, and he hurried to open 
the door. 

“Father has come!” echoed his sister, joyously; but 
alas, it proved to be a sad New Year to them, and tears 
stood in the eyes of the strong men as they witnessed 
their grief. 

A few days after the four men had laid the body of 
the kind father in his grave in the heart of the great 
forest, the streets of Nuremberg were alive with people, 
especially in the poorer parts of the city, for it was a 
beautiful clear day and mild, for the season. 

The doors and windows of inns and ale-houses in the 
narrow, crooked streets, stood open, and outside of 
them, the peasants were refreshing themselves after the 
cares of the week. 

i6 


Lost in the Forest. 


Their dwellings were little more than armories and 
sleeping places, and unless the weather were stormy, they 
lived in the open. 

There the coppersmith mended kettles, the tinker 
soldered flagons, the cobbler patched shoes. 

The citizens in the better streets were also enjoying 
the warm sunshine after many dull days that preceded it, 
and greeted neighbors and friends with cheerfulness. 

At length a horseman, richly dressed and followed by 
his shieldbearer, came riding slowly through the streets; 
and all hats were doffed until he passed, he returning 
the greetings with a wave of the hand and genial smile. 

As he passed the entrance to a narrow street, he no- 
ticed a group of boys who seemed bent upon mischief, 
and he halted to see if he were judging correctly. 

In the centre of the group was a boy armed as a 
hunter. Upon his back was a large cross-bow and a 
quiver of arrows; on his breast, a bugle horn held by 
the string about his neck, at his side a hunter’s knife, 
and in his right hand a spear. 

This boy was Arnold Hagener, carrying the weapons 
which had belonged to his father, and with his sister, 
Korbula, was on his way to the casttle of the Burgrave 
Frederick, in Nuremberg. 

The little girl was shedding tears of fright at the 
rudeness of the street boys who were doing their best 
to capture the weapons; but Arnold looked upon his 
tormentors with fearless eyes. 

“You are all cowards,” he cried ; “these things would 
be of no use to you, for you would not dare to go into 
17 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


the forest among the wolves and bears. Stand back! 
stand back, or you will be sorry and taking the spear 
by the handle he swung it around, striking some of the 
urchins. But it was not the spear that sent them flying 
in every direction, but the sight of Prince Frederick, who 
had ridden to the spot, followed by his attendant. 

'‘What is your name, my boy, and that of the little 
girl?’* he asked kindly. 

“Arnold Hagener, and this is my sister Korbula.” 

“So you are Arnold ; do you recognize me as the one 
you guided through the woods that terrible night?” 

“I know your voice, but I could not see your face that 
night, but I know you are kind and good, for you told 
me if I needed help to come to the castle and ask for 
the Burgrave Frederick, and we are on our way to see 
him. 

“I am the Burgrave Frederick; and so you are in 
need of help; and a shadow passed over his fine face 
at the remembrance of the faithful huntsman. 

“Yes; my father is dead, and we could not stay in 
the forest.” 

“No, certainly not; you can go directly to the castle; 
any one can point it out to you, and I will soon meet 
you there.” 

He turned away, and the brother and sister resumed 
their journey, and soon reached the castle, where they 
were kindly received by the Princess Elizabeth, who 
recognized Arnold as the boy who brought the wounded 
bear to the ground the day of the hunt, in time to pre- 
vent its attack upon her. 

i8 


Lost in the Porest. 


shall be always grateful to you,” she said, ''and 
especially grateful to my Heavenly Father, who allowed 
you to preserve me from harm.” 

"And I am glad, too,” said the boy, earnestly. "You 
are good and kind, like the Burgrave, and speak to me 
just as if I were not a poor peasant boy and you a great 
lady.” 

"God has indeed given us a higher position in the 
world, my boy, and it brings with it greater cares, and 
greater duties to perform, in order to serve Him; and 
we are trying to serve Him to the best of our ability. 
Now I hope you and your sister will feel at home here, 
for you are welcome, and will be treated as are our own 
dear children.” 

She touched a bell, and the housekeeper appeared, into 
whose care she gave them, with the request that they be 
provided with a good meal, and a comfortable place to 
rest, after their long walk. 

Though so entirely different from the home they had 
left, they soon grew accustomed to the change, and were 
treated by every member of the large household with 
kindness. 

Korbula was happy there, as was Arnold, so far as it 
was possible to be amid luxury which was foreign to 
his nature. He longed for the free life of the forest; 
he courted danger in the hunting of wild animals; and 
had, ever since he could remember, looked forward to 
the life of a forester with his uncle, the only brother of 
his mother, and a great hunter. 

This uncle lived in the Province of Brandenburg, far 
IS) 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


north of Franconia, was without wife or children, and 
lived alone in his cabin in the forest. 

Now the time had come for him to go, not only that 
it was his heartfelt wish, but he knew that it was his 
parents’ desire that he and Korbula should go, if left 
orphans, unless for the girl a less lonely home were of- 
fered. 

The Prince and Princess grieved to part from him, but 
felt that it was right that he should go. They promised 
to care for Korbula as for their own children, and Ar- 
nold knew the promise would be kept, and upon a day 
in March, 1409, well provided with money and weapons, 
he set out for Brandenburg. 


20 


CHAPTER III. 

The Mark of Brandenburg. 

At the time that Frederick Von Hohenzollern ruled 
over the Burgraviate of Nuremberg, Sigismund, King of 
Hungary, and afterward Emperor of Germany, was 
ruler of Brandenburgs having inherited that province 
from his father, Kaiser Charles IV, who had captured 
it in 1373, from the Margrave Otho. 

Sigismund was a handsome young sovereign of noble 
presence, loved luxury and pleasure, and cared nothing 
for Brandenburg, which he considered but a sandy plain. 

He loved Hungary, and his gay associates there, and 
sent successive Governor-Generals to rule over the Prov- 
ince of Brandenburg. 

These rulers oppressed and robbed the country, and 
in July, 1411, ambassadors were sent by the people of 
Brandenburg to Ofen in Hungary, where Sigismund held 
his court, to lay before him the state of affairs. 

They impressed it upon him that there was no justice 
in the land, that life and property were not secure, that 
citizens and peasants were without protection, and pov- 
erty and misery reigned. 

They had hoped that Sigismund, upon being informed 
of the state of affairs, would come in person to his pos- 
sessions, but nothing was further from his intention ; in- 
stead he promised to send a Governor-General, who 
would bring order out of confusion, and would be a ruler, 
helper, protector and |[iiide to all. 


21 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


This ruler was Frederick Von Hohenzollern, the pro- 
genitor of a long line of rulers, one of whom now reigns 
over a united Germany. Frederick was a faithful ad- 
herent of the young king, had loaned him large sums of 
money ; but more than all, was worthy of confidence ; 
and it was a wise decision of Sigismund to make him 
ruler of Brandenburg, thus winning the influence of the 
powerful house of Hohenzollern. 

Frederick was invited to come to Ofen to receive his 
commission from the king, and a few days after his ar- 
rival there was a great gathering of the noble and great 
of the kingdom to witness the ceremony, which took 
place July 3d, 1411, when Sigismund, with Queen Bar- 
bara by his side, announced that Prince Frederick Von 
Hohenzollern was appointed Governor-General of Bran- 
denburg. 

The ambassadors, with great pleasure, took the oath 
of allegiance, and before they departed for Brandenburg, 
their new ruler gave a banquet in their honor, attended 
by the King, Queen, and the nobility ; such a festival as 
the royal resident city had seldom seen. 

During this visit, Frederick had questioned the am- 
bassadors of the inner conditions of his new territory, 
that he might have knowledge of what he had undertaken. 

He learned that he would have much to contend with, 
owing to the enmity of the nobility, especially that of 
two wealthy and powerful noblemen, brothers, Johann 
and Dietrich Von Quitzow. 

These two noblemen had been in league with former 
Governor-Generals, especially one Jobst, a cousin of 


22 


The Mark of Brandenburg. 


Sigismund, who, when in need of money, sold to the 
Von Quitzows and other noblemen, now a castle, now a 
citadel, now a village; for in those days, a ruler could 
sell such property as he would sell a cow or a horse. 

Enemies from the outside came to have a share of the 
spoils, and Jobst impoverished and oppressed the people 
to make up these losses. The Duke of Saxony, Pome- 
rania, and Mecklenburg, captured all they could, but the 
most rapacious among them was the Bishop of Magde- 
burg, who came with a wild horde and captured or de- 
stroyed what its own princes and other enemies had left. 

It was a sad day for the people of Nuremberg when 
their beloved Prince Frederick took his departure for 
Brandenburg, and his parting from his beloved wife and 
children was as great a trial to him, as to them. 

He longed to take them with him, and the Princess 
Elizabeth would have braved every danger to accompany 
him, but he felt that he must first bring order out of 
chaos in that unhappy Province, and with a heavy heart, 
he bade them farewell. 

It was a beautiful spring day, in the year 1412, when 
Frederick, at the head of his retinue, reached the town 
of Wilsnach. 

Wherever his eyes turned, he saw the lamd, the halt, 
and the blind going along the streets, their goal being a 
hill upon which was the village church. 

This goal was not a fount of healing waters, nor the 
consulting place of some celebrated physician ; no, it was 
a supposed miracle known throughout Germany, to which 
these poor deluded people were making a pilgrimage. 

23 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


It was truly surprising and piteable, that people even 
in that early day, could be so superstitious as to come 
from long distances and under the most trying circum- 
stances, to regain health or other treasure, together with 
spiritual blessings. 

And it was equally surprising that the obscure little 
village of Wilsnach should become so celebrated, but 
there was a cause which seemed plausible to the pil- 
grims. 

In the month of August, 1383, the hitherto unknown 
village of Wilsnach, was attacked by a wild horde of bar- 
barians, who plundered it and then set it on fire. 

The terror-stricken inhabitants, including the priest 
and the sachristan, fled to the dense forests and for sev- 
eral days were afraid to return; and when they at last 
summoned courage they found the village reduced to 
ashes. 

Nor had the humble church escaped ; it too was wholly 
destroyed, and in great grief the priest realized that his 
people were too poor to build another. 

He sunk his head in his hands in deep thought, and 
being fertile in expedients, a scheme came into his mind 
which brought about the result he desired. 

He remembered that the cloister under the stone altar, 
had an iron door, and in that cloister were three con- 
secrated hosts. If they were untouched by the fire, he 
could proclaim it as a miracle, and the superstitious, 
bigoted people would believe. 

With zeal worthy of a better cause, he and his sachris- 
tan removed the debris and ashes from the altar, and 
24 


The Mark of Brandenburg. 


opened the iron door, and to his delight, found the con- 
tents unharmed. 

While inspecting them, he saw upon one of them a 
drop of blood. It had fallen from his hand from which 
a piece of skin had been removed while he was engaged 
in his unaccustomed work, and he allowed drops to fall 
upon the other hosts. 

“A miracle ! a miracle he cried as if almost frantic 
with joy; “the host; the body of our Saviour has, in 
the heat of the fire, sweat blood.’’ 

The sachristan knew well where the blood came from, 
but kept silent, except to rejoice with the priest over the 
wonder, and to help him spread through the world the 
report of the miracle; and young and old believed. 

It was but a short time after, that pilgrims came singly, 
in groups, and in hordes to see the miraculous thing; 
they wept with joy, prayed and praised, and what was 
more to the purpose so far as the priest was concerned, 
they laid rich gifts upon the altar. 

No one prospered through the medium of the miracle 
as did the crafty originator of it. A new and finer church 
soon stood in the place of the former one, and from a 
poor secluded village, Wilsnach bloomed into a town, 
celebrated as a place of pilgrimage ; and the priest was 
never short of money. 

As the pilgrims passed up to the church, two horsemen 
appeared upon the street, who were not among the af- 
flicted, nor were they seekers of the miracle. They were 
the Von Quitzow brothers, Dietrich and Johann, tall, 

25 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


handsome men, in rich costumes, bright swords at their 
sides, and mounted upon fine horses. 

One could see at a glance that they were leaders among 
men and when they halted at the largest public house, 
the landlord, with beaming countenance, conducted them 
to the large room where had congregated some of the 
most influential noblemen of Brandenburg. 

The Von Quitzows were greeted with hearty enthu- 
siasm, and when all had taken seats at a long table, 
Dietrich spoke. 

“Friends and comrades,” he said ; “I have called you 
together to discuss an important question. Our Kaiser, 
Sigismund, has brought a stranger to rule over us, in the 
person of Frederick Von Hohenzollern, Burgrave of 
Nuremberg; and he is now on his way to the castle of 
Brandenburg. Now, we will not have this stranger to 
rule over us ; what does he know of us and our customs ; 
what interest will he have in us? Away with the 
stranger! Away with the stranger!” and he struck his 
clenched fist upon the table. 

“Let him come,” cried Von Putlitz ; “we will make him 
glad to return to Nuremberg. He is a stranger to us and 
our people; he did not grow upon our soil, or breathe 
our Brandenburg air.” 

“What a fool he is to think he can manage us,” re- 
marked another of the noblemen, with a smile of con- 
tempt. 

“No, gentlemen,” remarked Wichard Von Rockow; 
“Frederick is a Hohenzollern, and is no fool. With 
lance and sword he is equal to any of us. He is not only 
26 


The Mark of Brandenburg. 


a rich man, but a capable one, and will give us enough 
to think about. I heard more of him than I wished to 
hear through the ambassadors, who were, with the great 
men of Hungary, gathered about the Kaiser to discuss 
the situation in regard to Brandenburg. He may be a 
stranger to us, but take my word for it, we are no 
strangers to him. He is a Franconian fox, and knows 
more about us and our country than is good for us, and 
right well understands what he has undertaken.” 

‘‘Kaiser Sigismund and the ambassadors gave him a 
false account of us,” supplemented Johann Von Quitzow. 
“They impressed him with the belief that we, of the no- 
bility of Brandenburg, are robbers, plunderers, and 
peace-breakers, and that no one is secure here, in person 
or in property.” 

“This Hohenzollern is a brave man with iron will and 
iron arm,” commented Goswin Von Brederlow; “he will 
first try to win us by his kindness and good-fellowship; 
if he fails in that, we will have enough upon our hands in 
resisting him. Of course, the shop-keepers, trades-people 
and other rabble of the towns and villages, together with 
the peasantry, will rejoice, believing that their good times 
have come, and would receive the Franconian with open 
arms, were they not afraid of our vengeance.” 

“Of course, comrades, you know,” exclaimed Dietrich, 
“that Frederick has proclaimed that his first business will 
be to restore to the government, the castles, citadels, vil- 
lages and other property that belonged to it, and which 
subsequently came into our possession.” 

“Shameful ! shameful !” cried the assembled noblemen ; 

27 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Refor^nation. 


as clenched fists struck the table in emphatic indignation. 

“Now,” continued Dietrich, his face flushing, and his 
eyes glowing with anger, “what remains to us if robbed 
of our castles and strongholds? We would be but serv- 
ants of the mutinous usurper. Shall we suffer this 
without resistance, and supinely allow him to take from 
us our homes ?” 

“Hold, Dietrich,” cried one of the noblemen; “have 
we not possession of our castles and other property? 
Have we not strong arms and trusty swords to defend 
these possessions? Have we not men enough among us 
to eject from Brandenburg a hundred burgraves? We 
must unite ; we must stand as one man ; one for all, 
and all for one.” 

“But what avail will all our effort be?” questioned 
Johann Von Quitzow; “the Kaiser has sold us to the 
Burgrave, Frederick. Sigismund can in this way re- 
turn to Frederick the great sums of money he has bor- 
rowed from him.” 

“We will defend our rights if it costs us our last drop 
of blood,” exclaimed Goswin Von Brederlow, striking 
the table with his sword. 

“You are right,” agreed Dietrich; “all would be dif- 
ferent here if Sigismund ruled in person. As it is, we 
have a hard battle to fight for we have a powerful enemy 
to overcome ; not only the Burgrave himself, but he will 
no doubt enter into league with neighboring provinces. 
Friends and comrades, be in readiness when I call you 
from your castles. And now let us sum up the matter : 

1st. We will have no stranger to rule over us.” 


The Mark of Brandenburg. 


“Death and destruction to the Franconian stranger!*’ 
was the unanimous cry, while swords and clenched fists 
struck the table. 

2d. We refuse him our oath of allegiance; “do you 
agree to that?’’ 

“With our whole hearts!*’ was the response. 

3d. “We have no encroaching upon our well-estab- 
lished rights.” 

“Under no circumstances,” was the cry. “Only cow- 
ards would endure it.” 

4th. “We will maintain our rights if need be, with our 
blood.” 

“Yes, with our blood!” 

“All this, my friends,” continued Dietrich, “we will 
confirm by our word of honor, and our clasped hands.” 

With hearty enthusiasm hands were clasped, and their 
word of honor given. 

“Now, we hold ourselves in readiness,” commented 
Dietrich, when the confusion subsided. We must provide 
weapons, increase the number of our adherents, strength- 
en our castles. But what we do, must be done secretly. 
It is better for Frederick to underrate than overrate us. 
We will let him think that it is only a wolf that he is to 
frighten from its lair; he will be all the more surprised 
when he is struck in the face by the claws of a bear.” 

The assembly remained some time together, arranging 
plans for the coming campaign, and when they separated, 
it was with hearts more embittered than before, against 
the burgrave — Prince Frederick, of Nuremberg. 


29 


CHAPTER IV. 

A Young Harbinger or the Coming Reformation. 

A dense woods, called the Wilsnach forest, extended 
back a great distance from the pilgrim church, in three 
directions. 

The trees had grown to a giant size, not to be seen 
there at this day, for their age may have numbered cen- 
turies. They stood so near each other that the sun’s 
rays could penetrate only in spots far apart, and the 
thick underbrush was so matted by vines, that it was im- 
possible for one to force his way through except by help 
of an axe. 

Through this forest was a road, the most inse- 
cure one in Brandenburg; not only because of the deep 
sand, the holes, roots of trees, and rocks, but dangerous 
for the reason that it was the haunt and hiding place of 
robbers, and abductors, who did not hesitate to commit 
crime for the sake of gain. Therefore, those who had 
anything to lose, knew better than to travel that road 
unless accompanied by several strong, and well-armed 
men, for the robbers were frequently in bands and their 
attacks sudden. 

In the early morning of the next day after the Von 
Quitzows and others of the nobility had met to discuss 
the coming to Brandenburg of the new Governor-General, 
two persons were walking along this forest road. Their 
clothing and weapons proclaimed them hunters; large 
cross-bows and arrows being slung from their shoulders. 


30 


A Young Harbinger. 


and each was equipped with hunting-horn, spear, and a 
broad hunting knife. 

One of these was Hans Spoorman, forester and hunts- 
man of the Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow, who held him 
in great esteem. 

He was a tall, strong, broad-shouldered man, with 
black hair and beard mixed with gray, and a pair of dark 
eyes which looked kindly upon the world from under 
his shaggy brows. 

The other was his nephew, Arnold Hagener, now sev- 
enteen, and almost as tall, strong and broad-shouldered 
as his uncle, whose home he shared, happily with this 
congenial companion, and the wild free life of the forest. 

The two were returning from Wilsnach, where they 
had been to visit the miracle, to pray and deposit their 
offering. 

They were chatting amicably, although each had his 
opinion, and maintained it. 

'‘Say what you will, uncle,” remarked Arnold; “it 
is all nonsense about the holy blood ; I can never believe 
it to be a miracle.” 

“No, I suppose not,” agreed the elder man; “I have 
always noticed that the young think themselves wiser 
than the old ; the chick wiser than the hen. Watch, boy, 
that you do not come to grief through your sinful un- 
belief.” 

“Did you ever know of any one, uncle, who came to 
grief through not believing in the holy blood of Wils- 
nach?” 

“Yes, there was a Knight Von Blaustern who did not 


31 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


believe, and went one day to see and ridicule the miracle, 
but God does not suffer Himself and the dear Saviour 
to be mocked. The moment he looked upon it he was 
stricken blind, and remained so until he repented and 
believed, and prayed to the host; then his sight was re- 
stored.” 

“Do you know the man, uncle; did he tell you this 
himself?” 

“No, but reliable people told me; are you still doubt- 
ing, boy?” 

“If you had seen him stricken with blindness, or he 
had himself told you of it, then I would certainly believe ; 
but as it is, I do not ; cannot believe. I wish that you had 
been in the church with me to-day, when I saw through 
some trickery that was practiced there; it was indeed 
pitiful as well as wonderful how people of apparently 
sound mind can be so deceived.” 

“What did you see that made you pity and wonder 
at the same time?” asked his uncle, coldly. 

“You know, uncle, that there is in the church a great 
pair of scales, called the sinner’s scales. Do you know 
why they are given that name?” 

“I do; have I not myself stood upon the scales? Our 
holy church teaches that the flesh sins, and the more 
flesh there is upon the body, the greater the sinfulness 
and the greater must be the gifts in order to obtain abso- 
lution. Upon one side of the scales stands the sinner; 
upon the other the gift, which must outweigh the sinful 
flesh. Is not that right and just?” 


32 


A Young Harbinger. 


“No, uncle, it is a fraud; one of the most shameful, 
and disgraceful of frauds.” 

“Boy, boy, bridle your tongue,” exclaimed Hans Spoor- 
man, alarmed at his nephew’s temerity; “it is a terrible 
sin to speak in this way, I pray the holy blood, that 
punishment be not visited upon you, but may your wicked 
speech be laid to your youth and inexperience.” 

“But I must tell you about it, uncle, for it went to my 
heart. A poor, sickly peasant came in. He was scarcely 
more than skin and bone, and so weak that he could 
scarcely walk. Behind him walked two strong men, each 
having upon his shoulder a great sack containing the 
gifts. They set the sacks down in front of the scales, 
and as the peasant stepped on one side of the scale, they 
laid upon the other side, bacon, sausage, geese, hens, 
pigeons, cheese, eggs, and many other things, the priest 
standing by to watch, and motioning to the men to put 
on more. The two men, after a time, looked at each 
other and at the sick man, in surprise; they could not 
understand how he could weigh so much. I, too, was as- 
tonished, for his side of the scale remained immovable; 
and I said to myself that there was a greater reason for 
it than appeared upon the surface ; so took up a position 
where, by lying upon the floor, I could see under the 
scales.” 

“And what did your blinded eyes see?” asked his 
uncle, dryly. 

“Directly under the scales upon which he sat, was a 
thick wire which passed through the floor to the vault 
under the church, where some one was holding it down 
33 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


until the priest should give notice that it was time to let 
go. He gave no sign until both sacks were emptied, with 
the exception of two small articles, and then the peas- 
ant’s side of the scale went up. 

'‘The poor man sighed deeply, and his eyes were full 
of tears; and I think, uncle, that it is a sin and shame 
that God’s house should be desecrated by such a fraud. 
It it had not been in a. church, I would have exposed 
that priest in words that he would have remembered till 
the day of his death. Now, uncle, what do you think of 
that ?” 

“I think you were a prying, sinful boy,” replied his 
uncle, angrily. 

“Why do you think so?” 

“It was unjust for you to suspect the priest; and who 
knows whether you saw it or not; Satan blinded your 
eyes.” 

“I was not deceived, uncle; I saw the wire as plainly 
as I see you.” 

“Do you think by this to turn one of my age and ex- 
perience from the true way, you yellow-bill?” 

“But listen further, uncle. When the peasant left the 
scale, the priest mounted to the pulpit, and without one 
prayer or word of comfort for the sick man, he praised 
the wonders of the holy blood, and spoke of a man who 
came from Bohemia for the healing of one of his hands 
which was paralyzed. He added that as soon as the 
man’s eyes rested upon the holy blood, the hand was 
made as strong as the other, and when he returned to 
Bohemia he sent a silver hand as a token of gratitude 
34 


A Young Harbinger, 


for the healing; and the priest held up the silver hand 
that all might see it. 

“Just as he did this a man who had been listening 
outside, appeared at the door. ‘Halt, you miserable crea- 
ture,' he cried; ‘see, you people, this hand is as lame 
as before. I am the man from Bohemia; I brought the 
silver hand with me, expecting to be cured, but I was not 
helped in the least. As I was expected to make a gift, 
I gave the silver hand, not wishing to carry it back with 
me, and I am glad that I remained to expose the juglery 
of that covetous priest.' Now, uncle, what do you think 
the people did when they heard this ? Why they laughed 
and hissed him as he slunk away into the sachristy; I 
wish you could have heard them." 

“But, supposing that priest did act unjustly, that is 
nothing against the holy blood, or the scales. No doubt 
he has put serene penance upon himself for his error." 

“It was more than an error, uncle; it was a falsehood ; 
that Wilsnach miracle is a fraud." 

“Say no more to me, boy ; I will not listen." 

“All right, uncle," replied Arnold, and commenced 
whistling a hunting air as they walked along. 

“You are not angry with me, uncle," he said at length, 
laying his hand upon Spoorman's shoulder. 

“Why should I be, when I care no more for your opin- 
ion than for that of a fly upon the wall. I am more con- 
cerned about that Hohenzollern who is giving my Knight 
Dietrich so much trouble. We know that Frederick is a 
stranger and oppressor." 


35 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“Oh, uncle, if you could but once look into his kind 
face, you would not think that of him.” 

“But what brings him here? Why not stay in Fran- 
conia, where he is wanted? For the Knight Dietrich’s 
sake, I shall always look upon him as an enemy, although 
the whole world calls him friend.” 

“Why did the Knights meet in Wilsnach, yesterday, 
uncle ?” 

“They met to enter into a covenant against the Hohen- 
zollern, and they are right. If a wild animal comes to 
destroy the sheep and cattle of a nobleman, should he not 
try to put it out of the way? And would it not be wiser 
to have help? United, the noblemen can overpower the 
new Governor-General. If he values his life he would 
better return to Franconia.” 

“God will watch over him, uncle,” replied Arnold, 
painfully touched; “you should not feel so toward one 
who has been so good to your dead sister’s children. 
He is a good, noble, Christian man, beloved and honored 
throughout Germany. It is only the nobility of Branden- 
burg who oppose him. Why ? Because he will straighten 
out some crooked dealings which will be against their 
pockets. He will not tolerate strife and feuds, and will 
bring about a better state of things in Brandenburg. 

“But it is the right and privilege of the nobility to 
have feuds. The citizens and the peasants earn profit 
through cunning, shrewdness and usury. The priests win 
honor and respect through fasting, mortification and pen- 
ance; the noblemen can earn honor and respect only 
through sword and lance. He does as all others do in 
36 


A Young Harbinger, 


his position in life, and who can blame him? The falcon 
seizes his food in his talons, the wolf with his teeth, the 
frog with his mouth, the stork with his bill, each after 
his kind. War and feud is a nobleman’s right, and he 
who seeks to change it is a thief and villain were he ten 
times Burgrave of Nuremberg. A thief must be fright- 
ened off from a castle or he must be slain.” 

“Uncle! uncle!” cried Arnold, in real distress; “I 
fear that you will be willing to take up the sword and 
lance against the Burgrave.” 

“I will say this ; if I once joined my lord Dietrich in a 
bloody feud against the Archbishop of Madgeburg, why 
not against the Hohenzollern ?” 

“Could you forget his kindness to your blood rela- 
tions? He and his princess are as kind to Korbula as 
to their own children.” 

“Korbula could come here.” 

“To the one room of our forest cabin?” 

“If it is good enough for us, it is good enough for her.” 

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of 
voices, and soon came in view two rough looking men. 
With them was an elderly Jew, and a pretty girl of about 
fifteen years of age. They were followed by a carriage 
driven by a servant, who appeared frightened at the 
state of affairs. 

“It is red Hans and one of his band,” commented 
Spoorman; “if we were not hunters we would have 
trouble with them. He is one of the villains who has 
made Brandenburg unsafe.” 

“Now, uncle, you see how the country needs a firm, 

37 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


severe ruler as governor; and one even as energetic as 
is the Burgrave Frederick will have his hands full to free 
Brandenburg from such ruffians.” 

“Who can that girl be?” questioned his uncle, ignor- 
ing the remark; “I have certainly seen her somewhere.” 

“It is an abduction for ransom, I am sure,” replied 
his nephew. 

“Ho, Hans ; where are you taking that girl ; who is she ?” 
cried Spoorman. 

“I am Margaret Wolffen,” cried the girl, excitedly; 
“they have stolen me away.” 

“I will kill you,” exclaimed red Hans, taking his dagger 
from his belt, and thrusting it toward her. 

Arnold sprang forward, grasped the spear from his 
hand, and held him at bay with its point while his uncle 
attacked the other ruffian with his iron fists. 

They were both glad to cry quarter, and with the prom- 
ise of leaving immediately, they were allowed to go, and 
skulked away through the woods to await another chance 
to steal or abduct. 

“Thank God, Margaret Wolffen,” that it was His will 
that we came this way, “said Hans Spoorman ; “the mo- 
ment you mentioned your name I knew that you were 
the daughter of Wilken Wolffen, the keeper at Plau 
Castle, and an old friend of mine.” 

“I recognized you the moment I saw you,” said the 
girl ; “but oh, the anguish I endured fearing that you 
could not overpower them.” 

“Now, tell me, child, how it is that you were in the 
hands of these ruffians.” 


38 


A Young Harbinger. 


“I was visiting my cousins in Wilsnach, and was on 
my way back to the castle, two servants being in the 
carriage to protect me; but when the footpads attacked 
us, one of them ran away. They carried me otf, that 
father might pay a large ransom to get me out of their 
hands, and when they caught sight of you, they said that 
the moment I opened my mouth to call to you, that mo- 
ment they would kill me.’^ 

“I saw that red-headed villain had some evil in mind,’* 
said Spoorman, ‘^and now we will go in the carriage to 
the castle; the other servant will make his appearance 
when he sees that the danger is past.” 

The Jew had in the meantime fled and hidden himself 
in a hollow place in the forest ; but seeing that the rob- 
bers had left, he hurried up and implored to be taken in 
the carriage. 

“The ruffians are not far away,” he said, “and the 
minute that they see that I am not with you, they will 
capture me again. They say that my wife shall pay a 
big ransom for me, and what they ask is more than we 
have in the world,” and he stood trembling with fear 
and excitement. 

“No matter if you have to pay ransom, you miserable 
creature,” replied Hans Spoorman, looking with con- 
tempt upon him. T have no pity to waste upon you or 
any other Jew. You oppress the poor about you, you 
buy and conceal what robbers steal, you claim usury, you 
deal in false coin ; you are Christ-killers. No you shall 
not go with us ; march out of our sight !’ ” 

The Jew turned pale, and trembled so violently, that 

39 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Arnold pitied him, and would have given him a place in 
the carriage, but to this Spoorman would not listen ; but 
helped Margaret in, and took his place beside her. 

'‘Walk close behind the carriage,” whispered Arnold, 
as his uncle was thus engaged, “and if anything happens, 
you shall be protected.” 

“May the God of Moses bless you!” whispered the 
Jew, gratefully, and Arnold quickly followed his uncle 
into the carriage, and after a time they were safely out 
of the forest. 

The Jew set out for home, and the others soon reached 
Plau Castle, the home of Johann Von Quitzow, where to 
the joy of Margaret’s father, she was restored to him 
After some bountiful refreshments provided by the grate- 
ful castle-keeper, uncle and nephew went through the 
forest to their cabin home. 


40 


CHAPTER V. 

The New Governor-General. 

As a rule, there is great rejoicing when a new ruler 
comes to the capital city of the country which he is to 
govern. 

But there was not the least evidence of rejoicing that 
24th day of June, 1412, when Burgrave Frederick Von 
Hohenzollern made his entree in Brandenburg, the capi- 
tal city of Brandenburg Province. 

From Wittenberg he had sent the message that he 
would reach there on that day, and the city fathers held 
a consultation in regard to it. 

Their decision was, that as Frederick was on the side 
of the masses, the masses might welcome him as they 
saw fit. As he was opposed to the nobility, the fathers 
agreed that they would not bring upon themselves the 
enmity of the nobility, especially that of the powerful 
Von Quitzows; therefore, would not make the most 
trifling effort to give him a welcome. 

As a result of this decision, there was not the least 
demonstration of welcome when Frederick, at the head 
of his retinue, rode into the city, although the streets 
were lined with people. Some of them raised their hats 
when he passed on his splendid charger, noble and com- 
manding in appearance, richly garbed, and wearing the 
look of kindness upon his features which distinguished 
him, yet also a look of surprise, even bewilderment. 

^‘Rather a melancholy reception,” he commented to 


41 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Baron Von Iselburg, his deputy and confidential friend, 
who rode beside him. “I had expected that the citizens, 
at least, would receive me in a friendly manner; but it 
appears that I am to find only enemies.” 

“No enemies, gracious Prince; the Brandenburgers 
would gladly accord you a welcome were they not afraid 
of offending the nobility, especially the Von Quitzows ; 
they are not sure that you could protect them. See that 
company of armed men; they are the adherents of the 
Von Quitzows sent here to keep the citizens from mak- 
ing a demonstration in your favor.” 

“Again the Von Quitzows, and always the Von 
Quitzows,” said Frederick, gloomily. “I will break this 
stubborn disrespect, cost what it may.” 

A smile of malicious defiance crossed the features of 
the bystanders who heard the remark, and one of them 
threw a pebble which struck the armored breast of one 
of his retinue. 

“Friend, you will get your pay in cannon balls,” he 
said to himself, smiling at the childishness of the act. 

In the meantime there was tumult among the vassals 
of the Von Quitzows. A tall, strong boy, armed with a 
hunting knife and having a cross-bow swung from his 
shoulder, pressed through the crowd and struck the peb- 
ble-thrower a blow in the face which felled him to the 
ground, and, in his fall, he took down others of his com- 
rades ; while the boy leaped over the prostrate man and 
ran with a triumphant peal of laughter, down the street. 

“It was exactly right,” whispered the bystanders ; “the 
fellow richly deseiwed it.” 


42 


The New Governor-General. 


“A brave boy/’ commented the prince; “I wonder 
who he is.?” 

‘‘I don’t know, but your grace must see that you have 
friends here among the people.” 

“Yes, I surely have,” and for the first time a look of 
pleasure came into his face. “I hope I shall see that 
young man again; I would be glad to know him.” 

At length the Prince and his retinue reached the castle, 
and Von Iselburg accompanied him to his apartment. 
As upon the streets, there was not a word of welcome, 
and his heart sank; he never felt so lonely, so abon- 
doned in his life. 

The Baron took a seat upon the settle, and Frederick 
stepped to the window and gazed out upon the deep 
blue of the river Havel. 

“This is the country, Iselburg, which I proudly called 
mine,” he said, sadly; “the country to which I have 
hoped to bring peace and prosperity; I fear it will be 
a battle. The lot of a ruler is a hard one he must make 
a sacrifice of his own happiness for the sake of future 
generations ; and do his descendants have a happier lot ? 
Do they not have their trials, though perhaps in a dif- 
ferent form, and under different circumstances? Truly 
there are peasants in the poorest of huts, who are hap- 
pier than princes. Here I stand among a people, half of 
whom are looking up to me to better their condition, 
and the other half look upon me as an enemy coming 
among them to work mischief. God only knows whether 
I will reach my aim, but in His name I will undertake 
my work.” 


43 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Before the Baron could frame a reply, a servant came 
to inform the Burgrave that the members of the city 
council had come to hold audience with him. Not before 
the eyes of the Von Quitzows had they come, but in 
secret to bid him welcome, and to ask his favor. 

The Burgrave assured them that his first care would 
be to protect the rights of the citizens against the en- 
croachments of the nobility, and with God’s help, he 
would bring peace and order in the land; and the city 
fathers left the castle happy over the promise. 

On the second day of July, Frederick summoned the 
representative men of the Province to the city of Bran- 
denburg. The citizens appeared promptly, but of the 
nobility, only a few came, and the brothers Dietrich and 
Johann Von Quitzow were not among them. 

The Burgrave greeted them in a friendly manner, and 
the Baron Von Iselburg read to the assembly the procla- 
mation of Kaiser Sigismund, which specified that he had 
appointed Frederick VI of Franconia as Governor-Gen- 
eral of the Province of Brandenburg, and set before 
them the duty of taking the oath of allegiance to him. 

‘Tt 'is my intention,” remarked Frederick, “to journey 
to the different cities of the Province and receive the 
allegiance of the people. Afterward, I will not delay 
longer than possible, to take into possession of the gov- 
ernment, for the security of the country, the castles, 
citadels, and lands which the nobility have had pledged 
to them.” 

“Excuse me, gracious Burgrave,” remarked Gans Von 


44 


The New Governor-General. 


Plitlitz ; “if I, in the name of Altmark and Priegnitz, 
refuse to say 'amen’ to this. Instead, I suggest that 
your proposition be first laid by me before the men and 
cities of Altmark and Priegnitz that it may be considered 
in council.” 

“That agrees entirely with my opinion,” said one of 
the noblemen from the Havel lands. 

“And mine,” echoed a nobleman from the middle part 
of the Province. 

Thus the word went from mouth to mouth; among 
the objectors being the greater part of the representa- 
tive citizens, they being influenced by the noblemen. 

But there were also some influential opposers of the 
proposition made by Von Putlitz; among them, the 
Bishop of Havelberg, and the Counts Lindow and 
Ruppin; and they did not hesitate to say that there was 
no need of placing the matter before the different coun- 
cils, but that it could be settled then and there. 

“It is our opinion,” retorted Von Putlitz, casting a 
supercilious glance at the bishops, “that the question is 
too important to be passed over lightly, and I say once 
for all, that we will await the decision of the different 
councils.” 

The other members of the nobility agreed with him; 
and the Burgrave regarded them with flashing eyes. 
They had been reported to him as antagonists; he now 
met these antagonists face to face. 

“I cannot recede from my proposition,” he said firmly ; 


45 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“the Kaiser’s letter, commands you to give me your al- 
legiance. The pledged castles and lands must be re- 
stored to the government, for which the sum pledged will 
be paid. I beg you to remember that I stand upon my 
rights, and if I accuse you to the Kaiser as having re- 
fused to take the oath of allegiance to me, the ban of 
the empire will fall upon you.” 

“Accuse us if it please you to do so, gracious Bur- 
grave,” answered Von Putlitz ; “we have not as yet had 
commands directly from the Kaiser to take the oath 
of allegiance to you. Our firm resolve is not to be over- 
thrown by you, and I hope you will soon see the result 
of our councils.” 

“I know it now,” exclaimed Frederick, bitterly; “and 
I also know that you are only trying to win time; and 
I will act accordingly.” 

“So you threaten us, do you, Herr Burgrave?” 

The controversy continued and soon assumed a stormy 
character, but at length the two bishops, and the Abbe 
Henry Stick succeeded in turning it into a more peace- 
ful channel, and also to win from the noblemen some 
little concession; and when they separated the feeling 
toward the new Governor-General was better than when 
they first assembled. 

Without delay, and accompanied only by one attendant, 
the Burgrave went from city to city to receive the oath 
of allegiance. His first place ^as Berlin, where he was 
received with honor, as was the case with several other 
cities, costly receptions being accorded him. 

46 


The New Governor-General. 


While he was on this journey he received letters from 
the Von Quitzows and Cans Von Putlitz, refusing em- 
phatically to take the oath of allegiance to him, or to al- 
low their adherents to do so; and in regard to the sur- 
render of their castles and other property, they would 
see the Kaiser in person and hear his decision.” 

“I knew that it would come to this,” said Frederick, 
despondingly, to his faithful friend. Von Iselburg, “and 
I, too, must turn to Sigismund, but first must try to 
make them do right.” 

“I am sorry to have to tell you,” responded the Baron, 
“that there is a report that Duke Otto and E^ke Casi- 
mir of Pomerania have entered into a covenant with the 
Brandenburg nobility, and will join against you when 
the proper time comes; therefore, I advise your grace 
to be on the watch.” 

“That is certainly ill news; the horizon is darkening 
in all directions; here and there the lightning flashes 
through the clouds and the roll of thunder is heard in the 
distance. But I will not lose courage; a Hohenzollern 
will not creep under cover from a little rain. But I must 
seek with double haste to secure the allegiance of the 
remaining cities, and in the meantime will send a mes- 
senger to the Kaiser Sigismund.” 

A few hours later a horseman upon a fleet charger, 
passed through the city gate to distant Hungary, and the 
Kaiser; and toward the latter part of August returned 
with the answer. 

It informed the Von Quitzow brothers and their adher- 


47 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


ents, and other disloyal noblemen, that the Kaiser Sigis- 
mund was incensed at their conduct, and that the penalty 
that of the ban of the empire should be inflicted upon 
them did they persist in refusing allegiance to their new 
ruler. 

But Sigismund had so often made threats which had 
not been fulfilled, that the proud noblemen in their 
castles were not the least alarmed; and Frederick saw 
that all that was left for him to do was to prepare for 
war against the nobility. 

He sent to distant Franconia for troops to aid him, 
mustered all the forces of Brandenburg who had proved 
loyal to him, and entered into a covenant with Arch- 
bishop Gunther, of Magdeburg, whose help he knew 
would be a powerful accessory in quelling the mutinous 
insurgents ; and in every way in his power prepared for 
the conflict which he felt sure would come. 

Nor were his enemies idle; they fortified and pro- 
visioned their castles and strongholds, increased with 
their weapons, and added constantly to their forces. 

On the 24th day of September the troops from Fran- 
conia marched into the Province of Brandenburg, strong 
men, and valiant soldiers, well equipped in every way for 
battle. Frederick met them a short distance from the 
city, and selected a spot for the encampment for them 
and his faithful Brandenburgers. 

The Franconians were commanded by Count Von 
Hohenlohe, and by the Knights Philip Von Uttenhau- 
sen, and Von Leitersheim; all three brave and experi- 
enced warriors. 


48 


The New Governor-General. 


The Dukes of Pomerania issued a declaration of war 
against Frederick, which was followed by a challenge 
from the Von Quitzows and their adherents. 

As speedily as possible Sigismund pronounced the ban 
of the empire against the peace-breakers, and the torch 
of war flamed over the already oppressed land. 


49 


CHAPTER VI. 

The Battle by the Kremmer Dam. 

North of the city of Kremmen, there was a great 
stretch of swampy land; the only path through it being 
a ridge of earth about half a mile long, and the width 
of a carriage road broad, called the Kremmer ^am. 

The Burgrave had decided that the meeting with the 
enemy should not be in the neighborhood of Branden- 
burg, as Plau Castle, the residence of Johann Von 
Quitzow was not far away, but would meet near Krem- 
men, that city being strongly fortified, and having three 
gates with towers, and strong walls. This would fur- 
nish him a place of retreat should the tide of battle be 
against him. 

He also decided not to delay the meeting, as the 
enemy might in the meantime, receive reinforcements, 
while he could not reckon upon any more help than he 
then possessed. 

His generals agreed that the earlier the meeting took 
place the better, and also agreed that the spot he selected 
— a field near the Kremmer dam — was the best that 
could be chosen. Spies had brought him the information 
that the enemy was stationed in the neighborhood of the 
Liebenburger forest, and to his discouragement, added 
that the army was much greater than the one he com- 
manded. 

It was a stirring sight when Frederick marshalled his 

so 


The Battle of the Kremmer Dam. 


forces to the field. The stately Franconian and Bran- 
denburg horsemen, in bright armor, with glistening hel- 
mets and wearing plumes, and bearing the banner of 
Franconia and Brandenburg, their swords and lances 
gleaming in the sunlight, placed themselves in battle 
array; and the foot-soldiers commanded by armored 
knights, were equally filled with enthusiasm to battle 
for their rightful ruler and protector. 

It was nearly noon when the Liebenburger forest com- 
menced to give out its forces, and to Frederick and his 
men it seemed inexhaustible. Company after company, 
bearing the banner of Brandenburg, came forth, and 
Frederick and his generals dreaded that the sight of 
the great number would have a depressing effect upon 
his men. 

They rushed forward like a tornado ; the earth 
trembled with the beat of the hoofs of hundreds of 
horses, and the footsteps of the heavily armed foot- 
soldiers. 

There was a sharp, shrill call to battle, then the din 
of clashing lances, the striking upon shields, helmets and 
armors, and the cries and groans of the wounded. 

The Brandenburg and Franconian troops under Fred- 
erick, fought bravely, but the enemy had been reinforced 
by the Pomeranians and so greatly outnumbered Fred- 
erick’s army that the case was hopeless; and they were 
forced to retreat. 

“Take the Burgrave prisoner,” cried a powerful voice 
from the enemy’s side; and a knight of commanding 
form, and in armor, rode forward. 

SI 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“It is Dietrich Von Quitzow,” called Frederick’s men; 
“close about the Burgrave and protect him.” 

Fast and furious was now the battle about Frederick. 
The Von Quitzows pressed close, and with their swords 
struck the weapons out of the hands of the protectors ; 
and with fierce hatred had almost reached their aim, when 
Hohenlohe threw himself in the way to save the Prince. 

“Dog of a Franconian!” cried Dietrich, and struck 
blow upon blow of his sword upon the armor of Hohen- 
lohe without felling him ; then he called to his aid a giant 
Pomeranian, who struck the general a powerful blow 
between the shoulders, with a heavy club; the bridle 
dropped from his hand and he fell lifeless to the ground, 
as did General Von Seitersheim a moment later while 
striving to save their leader. 

“Death and destruction to all Franconians,” cried 
Dietrich. “Now for the Burgrave, my men ; there now ; 
take him prisoner.” 

It was a dangerous moment for Frederick Von Hohen- 
zollern. The Franconian horseman were appalled at the 
loss of their leaders, and remained as if chained to the 
spot. But there was one, who, embittered by the loss 
of his friends, rushed upon Von Quitzow; this was 
Philip Von Uttenhofen, and Frederick’s sword was not 
idle in his effort to save him; but Von Uttenhofen fell 
before the implacable arm and sword of Dietrich. 

Jubilant shouts rang among the victors. The Bur- 
grave appeared lost; he was surrounded by his enemies 
and cut off from his friends; but at that instant a new 


52 


The Battle of the Kremmer Dam. 


champion appeared at his side. A tall, strong boy, in 
hunter’s garb; his cap had fallen from his head, and a 
mass of brown hair floated about his illumined face. 

This boy was Arnold Hagener. He swung a mighty 
spear which struck the legs of the horses, causing them 
to spring back, and as often as a soldier raised a sword 
it was struck from his hand, and the Franconians, hav- 
ing recovered from their shock, clustered around their 
Burgrave. 

“To the dam, gracious Burgrave!” cried Arnold, al- 
most breathlessly ; “you and your company are in great 
danger of being cut off from Kremmen; do not delay 
one moment or you will all be prisoners.” 

“You are surely mistaken,” said Frederick; “I see no 
danger of being cut off from Kremmen.” 

“Yes, there is great danger,” insisted Arnold, eagerly 
and anxiously; “there is a way through the middle of 
the swamp known only to me and to an old hunter who 
is a devoted follower of Dietrich Von Quitzow. He is 
now leading a company of Pomeranian foot-soldiers to 
that path. If they reach it first, they will line along the 
dam and you will be lost. You have not a moment to 
lose; will you follow me?” 

“I will ; mount that riderless horse and lead the way ;” 
and hurriedly giving the horsemen of the rear-guard com- 
mand to repulse the enemy on that side, he sped away, 
followed by his company. As they neared the dam, 
the pressure was so great that many of the soldiers were 
crowded off the narrow path and were swallowed up by 

53 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


the water and slime of the swamp; but the Burgrave, 
his guide and enough soldiers to fill the dam, reached 
it safely. 

They were not a moment too soon, for they heard 
from behind the bushes, the steady tramp of the Pomer- 
anian foot-soldiers hurrying to the dam. In the lead was 
an old man in hunter’s garb, his eyes glowing with enthu- 
siasm, and holding in his hand a long spear. 

But as hurriedly as they had moved forward, they 
were too late; Frederick’s soldiers had reached the spot 
they had expected to enter, and stood like a wall of iron 
in defense of it. 

Completely frustrated in their plans, the Pomeranians 
refused to make an attack, or to move a step forward. 
The old huntsman entreated them not to leave him in 
the lurch; then stormed and threatened, called them 
cowards and shirks ; but all was of no avail ; they turned 
and went back the path they came. 

The old man’s life hung upon a thread, for swords 
and lances were raised against him, but Arnold pressed 
through the line and clasped his arms about him.. 

“Arnold, you here?” cried the old hunter; “were you 
the traitor?” 

“There has been enough blood shed, uncle; three 
brave generals have fallen, and many other loyal men; 
are you yet not satisfied?” 

“No; I wish to have the Burgrave a prisoner; the 
wicked Franconian who has brought so much trouble 
and bloodshed upon Brandenburg; and we would have 
had him had it not been for your treachery.” 

54 


The Battle of the Kremmer Dam. 


“He is my sister’s benefactor, uncle,” whispered Ar- 
nold; “I could do no other; I dare not go against my 
consciousness of right. When all is at peace, you will 
be glad that I have done this.” 

“Never; can I forgive a traitor?” 

“Down with the old man,” cried the soldiers nearest 
the spot, and made as if to thrust their lances into his 
breast. 

“Only over my dead body, shall you reach him,” cried 
Arnold. 

“Back, back,” commanded Frederick ; “the man is my 
prisoner.” 

“Your prisoner, never!” exclaimed Hans Spoorman; 
“rather death.” 

“Fly, uncle, fly!” cried Arnold; “I will hold any one 
back that follows.” 

“Fly from him?” exclaimed Spoorman, with scorn, 
and pointing to the Burgrave. 

“Take him prisoner; the one who takes his life will 
win my anger,” commanded Frederick. 

The soldiers gathered about him; he resisted them 
until he saw it was useless, then stood motionless. 

“This is your work, Arnold,” he said, bitterly. 

“I could do no other, uncle,” cried the boy, hiding his 
face in his hands; he could not bear the sight of that 
iron face drawn with grief that his loved nephew had 
betrayed him. 

The enemy, seeing that it was useless to try to get a 
foothold upon the narrow strip of land — filled with Fred- 

55 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


crick’s men — disbanded. They had won the day, and the 
Von Quitzows returned to their castles to hold a cele- 
bration over their victory, and the Burgrave, and what 
was left of his army, went within the protecting walls 
of Kremmen, taking with them the bodies of three gen- 
erals who had given up their lives in the cause of Fred- 
erick Von Hohenzollern. 

Early the next morning the Burgrave had a review 
of his troops, and his heart bled at the result of the con- 
flict. He heard the sighs and groans of the wounded 
and the weeping for the slain in the dwellings of 
Kremmen. Three of his loved friends and able generals 
had fallen, and he had taken but few prisoners, among 
them, Hans Spoorman; and his sad face lighted when 
he saw Arnold standing beside him. 

“Brave boy!” he said; “I do rejoice to see you again; 
I could not reward you yesterday; now I wish you to 
ask a favor of me.” 

“I have but one favor to ask, gracious Burgrave, and 
that is that my uncle be set at liberty. He is a hunter, 
has lived all his life in the woods and would die in a 
short time if shut up in a dark dungeon.” 

“But your uncle is my enemy; he regards me with 
deadly hate; you must ask some other favor.” 

“I have no other to ask.” 

“But you must let me do you a favor; you saved me 
from imprisonment; perhaps death.” 

“And by doing so made my poor uncle a prisoner.” 

“That was his own fault.” 

56 


The Battle of the Kremmer Dam. 


"‘Do you think, gracious Burgrave, that it was a light 
thing for me to betray the faithful man whom I love as 
a father, and who loves me as a son? Could I sun my- 
self in your grace’s favor, knowing that through my be- 
trayal, he is in prison?” 

“Oh, boy, I would give much to grant your request; 
I wish he were not my enemy.” 

“But, gracious Burgrave, he has grown old in the serv- 
ice of Herr Dietrich Von Quitzow, and they are more 
like dear friends than master and servant. The Von 
Quitzows did not wish you to be ruler of Brandenburg; 
they have met you with weapons in your hands. Put 
yourself in the place of my uncle. Was not the enemy 
of his master his enemy? Could he remain quietly in 
his hunter’s cabin while the master was outside battling 
with you?” 

“Why is it that you are not on his side?” 

“Because, I believe that you have come here to be the 
real helper of Brandenburg.” 

“God helping me, your confidence in me shall not be 
in vain ; but I must not let my enemies go free to work 
evil against me.” 

“Then, I have but one other favor to ask of you ; let 
me share imprisonment with my uncle.” 

“You are an obstinate boy, and shall have your will; 
but first I must speak to your uncle. What is your 
name, my friend ?” he continued, stepping up to his pris- 
oner. 

“Hans Spoorman ; but I am not your friend.” 

57 


Prince Frederick mid the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“It would be well for you not to speak so boldly; do 
not forget that you are my prisoner.’^ 

“Take my life when it pleases you to do so; the life 
of a hunter and forester is of little value when his home 
is a prison.” 

I have no wish to take your life; for your brave 
nephew’s sake, I wish to do you good and not evil ; your 
freedom will depend upon yourself. Promise not to take 
up arms against me and you are free.” 

“If it depends upon that promise, I remain a prisoner.” 

“Do you mean to say that you will take up arms 
against me?” 

“A faithful servant does not fold his hands idly in his 
lap when his master is fighting his enemy.’^ 

“Such an enemy as you are to me, deserves death by 
hanging.” 

“Your threat does not change my mind.” 

“Think of me and my sister,” reminded Arnold, step- 
ping to his uncle’s side. 

“Neither of you need me; you can go back to Fran- 
conia.” 

“Are you from Franconia?” exclaimed the Burgrave, 
in astonishment, and turning to Arnold. 

“Yes, gracious Prince; do you not remember me? I 
ami Arnold Hagener.” 

“By St. Gillian ; the scales have fallen from my eyes,” 
exclaimed the Prince; “this is indeed a gleam of sun- 
shine in my dark hour.” 


58 


The Battle of the Kremmer Dam. 


''And my sister Korbula/’ said Arnold, eagerly, ^‘is 
she still with the princess?” 

"As a loved daughter; and now what can I do to 
show my gratitude to you who saved my wife from great 
danger ; and saved me from being a prisoner ?” 

"Give my uncle his freedom.” 

"I will. The gate of Kremmen stands open to you; 
go with your nephew. Tell your leader that I envy 
him such a follower; farewell, old huntsman;” and he 
held out his hand. 

"I will not take the hand of the enemy of my master.” 

"Then, farewell, Arnold, my true, brave boy; God 
grant that we may meet again;” and he clasped his 
hand. 

"Halt!” cried Hans Spoorman, and his strong, stern 
features worked in his effort to control his feelings; 
"you are a great-hearted enemy; therefore, I will take 
my freedom from your hands and this boy shall not 
follow me. His heart is with you, and with you he 
must remain. His aims are not my aims; there would 
always be variance between us. I wish him to remain 
true and faithful to you. It grieves my heart to part 
from him; my noble, brave boy; the pride and joy of 
my old age; but it is better so.” 

"But, uncle, I am no longer a child; I have a mind 
and will of my own ; I refuse to leave you.” 

"Will you enter into the strife with my leader, Herr 
Dietrich Von Quitzow ?” asked the old man, eagerly. 

"Never!” 


59 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


"‘Then we must part, for my arm shall never rest, 
while this enemy of Brandenburg remains in it. Herr 
Burgrave, will you keep the boy?” 

‘'God knows my heart; I will, joyfully. He shall be 
to me as a son, as his sister is as a daughter.” 

“Then, farewell, and Arnold — do not — do not — forget 
your old uncle.” 

“I will never, never forget you;” and Arnold threw 
his arms about the neck of Hans Spoorman, and laid 
his head upon the broad breast. “I could do no other ;” 
and tears were in his dark eyes. And thus they parted, 
one to be on the side of Dietrich Von Quitzow, the other 
on the side of Frederick Von Hohenzollern. 


6g 


CHAPTER VII. 

The Double Ban oe the Empire. 

While the truest and most sagacious of the friends 
of Frederick considered the battle against the nobility 
as hopeless of victory, his confidence in ultimate success 
remained unshaken for the reason that he had firm faith 
in a Higher Power, and in the justice of his cause. 
Moreover he was encouraged by the knowledge that sev- 
eral neighboring provinces favored his undertaking. 

He had also great joy in hearing that his beloved wife 
— the Princess Elizabeth — and his children, were about 
to leave Franconia for Brandenburg, under the protec- 
tion of several Knights and a company of soldiers, and 
another happy message was from the Kaiser, promising 
all help and protection in his battle against the nobility. 
Sigismund had also sent a special message to the rebel- 
lious noblemen, commanding them to obey his order to 
recognize Frederick Von Hohenzollern as their ruler, 
and take the oath of allegiance to him, or suffer the 
penalty of the double ban of the empire for disobedience. 

The noblemen had many secret meetings to discuss 
the state of affairs. Many of the less powerful mem- 
bers of the nobility had fallen off from them, and they 
agreed that they could not follow up the victory over 
Frederick by another battle; their losses had been too 
great. 

Dietrich Von Quitzow argued that they must secure 

6i 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


by craft and diplomacy what they could not obtain by 
overpowering the hated Burgrave, even if it cost them 
the loss of some of their castles and strongholds. 

In lieu of certain rights and privileges which they 
would demand, they would restore these places for the 
amount paid for them, in addition to the sum expended 
on improvements. They would also appoint a negotiator, 
and the Burgrave could have the same privilege. 

Frederick was gratified at this unexpected concession, 
yet he did not hide from himself that his sly adversaries 
were making a virtue of necessity; therefore, did not 
set too much value upon the proposals. 

A few days later, the negotiators met; but before 
they came to an agreement, the good news was brought 
to the Burgrave, that his beloved wife and children 
would reach Tangermund the next day and he imme- 
diately set about making arrangements to meet them, 
and Arnold was also happy in the prospect of meeting 
his sister. 

On the second of February, 1413, there was great re- 
joicing in Tangermund in honor of the Princess Eliza- 
beth. The buildings were decorated with wreaths and 
garlands of evergreen; old and young were in holiday 
attire. Flags floated in the breeze, companys of citizens 
with banners, representing trades, societies, guilds and 
corporations, and with drums and trumpets, awaited the 
coming of the distinguished lady, as did the cathedral 
chapters, and other ecclesiastical orders, in their differ- 
ent costumes, and horsemen and foot-soldiers. 

62 


The Double Ban of the Umpire. 


There was a movement in the crowd and at the cry, 
''she is coming!” the musicians put their fifes and trum- 
pets to their lips, the companys formed in line, the ban- 
ner-bearers sprang to their places, boys climbed the trees 
to have a better view, and the little ones were raised 
upon the shoulders of the grown people. 

In the distance could be seen the cavalcade; first a 
company of horsemen with bright armors, helmets, 
shields and lances glistening in the sunlight, and the 
waving of plumes in the light breeze, then part of the 
armored knights, then the lovely Princess Elizabeth, 
upon a snow-white horse, and followed by the remaining 
knights, then a coach drawn by six horses in which were 
the children of the Burgrave, and Korbula Hagener; 
then the company of foot-soldiers. 

Advancing to meet the cavalcade was Frederick and 
his retinue, and as they met and passed up the street of 
Tangermund all eyes were upon the kingly form of the 
Burgrave and upon the beautiful woman at his side, 
whose eyes were filled with tears of pleasure as she 
nodded with friendly smiles in response to the hearty 
greetings. 

Frederick had received no word of welcome upon his 
entrance into Brandenburg, and was therefore doubly 
rejoiced at the honor shown his wife. 

The Princess Elizabeth had won all hearts, and the 
dread which she had felt in regard to stepping upon the 
soil of Brandenburg vanished when she witnessed the 
genuine enthusiasm of the people. 

63 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Following them were the Archbishop Gunther and 
other noblemen upon splendidly caparisoned horses, and 
next the coach in which were the Burgrave’s children 
and Korbula. Beside the window by which she sat, rode 
Arnold in the uniform of shield-bearer to the Governor- 
General, his eyes beaming with joy to see her so well 
and happy. 

When Frederick and his family reached the castle they 
retired to the chapel where they knelt and thanked God 
for the safe journey, and asked for further blessing 
upon them and upon Brandenburg, and a happy day they 
passed together after the long separation. 

The next morning the negotiators passed in their re- 
port, and while in some respects it did not quite satisfy 
the Burgrave, he was glad the affair was settled ; and he 
requested the noblemen to meet him at the castle in Ber- 
lin on April 4th, that the contract might be completed, 
the funds for redeeming the castles having been sup- 
plied him by friends in Nuremberg. 

On their part, the noblemen were to take the oath of 
allegiance, and restore the castles to the Government, 
and the threatened ban of the empire would be set aside. 

But the haughty spirit of the nobility rebelled at being 
thus summoned, and they refused to take the oath until 
the threat of the ban was removed, and Frederick real- 
ized that nothing remained but to make complaint against 
them to Sigismund. In pursuance of this he sent a mes- 
senger to the Kaiser with the report that the Von 
Quitzow brothers, Gans Von Putlitz, and Wickard Von 
64 


The Double Ban of the Empire. 


Rockow and others who were moving spirits in the re- 
bellion, had refused to take the oath of allegiance, also 
refused to give up feuds, and were destroyers of the 
peace of Brandenburg. 

This information incensed Sigismund beyond measure, 
and he sent a message to the offending noblemen, com- 
manding them to change immediately their course of 
action or the double ban of the empire would be pro- 
nounced against them. 

This double ban was a serious thing, as one thus 
banned was an outlaw without justice or protection. Any 
one so minded could slay him without risk of punish- 
ment. No one dared harbor or conceal him, and all his 
property was confiscated to the government. 

The nobility were well aware of all this, but believed 
that it would never be anything more than a threat, so 
remained unconcerned, and Frederick was convinced that 
their power would remain unbroken so long as they were 
allowed to retain their castles and strongholds. 

He decided that the three most important ones 
should be wrested from them at one and the same time, 
thus preventing their owners from going to each other’s 
assistance. He would himself take command of the at- 
tack upon Friesack, and the Archbishop of Magdeburg 
have the command of the attack upon Plau. 

In pursuance of this, he entered into an agreement 
with the Landgrave Frederick of Thuringia, the brother- 
in-law of the Archbishop of Magdeburg, for the loan 

65 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


of a giant cannon, which could throw stone balls with 
such force that no stone wall could withstand them. 

On the 14th of January, 1414, the Burgrave received 
the message from Sigismund that the double ban of the 
empire was pending over the four of whom he had com- 
plained, and that the Dukes of Pomerania were com- 
manded not to offer them any assistance under penalty 
of the ban of the empire. 

Frederick considered it advisable to attack the castles 
without delay, and in the latter part of January the peo- 
ple of Tangermund were astonished to see the immense 
cannon make its appearance, drawn by many horses, 
guarded by armed horsemen, and followed by wagons 
loaded with stone balls and gun powder. 

Many of the castles had one or more cannons, but they 
were as pigmys beside the giant thrower of stone balls. 

It was allowed to halt on the edge of the forest near 
Tangermund, and the people flocked to see, among them 
the Princess Elizabeth, her twelve-year-old daughter — 
Cecelia, and Korbula. 

The girls listened for a little while, then seeing a 
squirrel jumping from limb to limb of a great tree, went 
to watch it. It ran down the tree and across the snowy 
ground to another, the girls following. This it did sev- 
eral times, and they had wandered some distance from 
the cannon when they were startled by seeing two armed 
men come from behind a clump of bushes. They were 
Hans Spoorman and Ludeck — one of the servants at 
Friesack castle. 


66 


The Double Ban of the Empire . 


“What are you doing here, children?” asked Hans. 

“We were watching a squirrel, but now we are going 
back to mamma, who is looking at the great cannon 
which has come to destroy Friesack — the castle of the 
wicked Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow.” 

“Who is your mother and father?” 

“My mother is the Princess Elizabeth, and my father 
is the Burgrave Frederick Von Hohenzollern.” 

“Ha!” cried Hans, as he glanced at Ludeck; “you 
are our prisoners; come Ludeck.” 

Saying this, rough hands were placed over the mouths 
of the girls, and they were hurried through the forest 
to the spot where a group of horsemen belonging to the 
castle, were watching for a glimpse of the giant cannon ; 
and two of them took the prisoners to Friesack, fol- 
lowed by Hans Spoorman. 

The Princess in the meantime had missed the girls, 
and in great anxiety, had sent several of her attendants 
in search of them, but they could not be found. She 
gave orders to be driven rapidly to the castle, from 
whence she sent a company of armed men ; but they re- 
turned late at night, their long search being without avail. 

The Princess wrung her hands in anguish of heart, and 
was compelled to send the terrible message to the Bur- 
grave, who had gone to Berlin on business of the gov- 
ernment, although it added greatly to her distress to in- 
crease his many cares. 

Hans Spoorman and his prisoners reached the castle, 
and waited in the ante-room to have audience with the 
67 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Knight Dietrich, who with his brother Johann, and 
Wickard Von Rockow were discussing the state of af- 
fairs, and Hans took keen interest in the conversation. 

'‘Let the great gun do its best,” remarked Dietrich; 
“we can count without fail upon the help of the Pome- 
ranians, and when the Burgrave makes an attack upon 
the property belonging to one of us, the other will help 
resist him. Friesack is prepared for a several months’ 
siege.” 

“So is Plan,” said his brother. 

And Galzow, supplemented Wickard; “but yet I can- 
not help feeling anxious, dreading that Sigismund will 
really fulfil the threat of the double ban.” 

“Do not consider it for a moment,” advised Johann 
Von Quitzow; “he would never dare to act that way 
with us. He only wishes to frighten us into measures 
in order to uphold the authority of the Burgrave; you 
know that he has made threats that never amounted to 
anything; so it will be in this case.” 

“I hope you are right, but the dread lies upon my 
heart like a night-mare.” 

At that moment there came a tap upon the door, and 
the wife of Dietrich, a tall, handsome lady entered, her 
face ghastly in its paleness, and holding in her trembling 
hand a sealed packet. 

“It was sent you by special messenger, from the Gov- 
ernor-General,” she said in an awed tone; “what can it 
be, Dietrich?” 

“Be tranquil, Elizabeth,” he replied, taking it from 
68 


The Double Ban of the Empire. 


her hand ; “at most but a challenge from the Burgrave.’^ 

‘It may be the double ban/' suggested Von Rockow, 
with pale lips. 

Dietrich broke the seal, glanced over the document, 
and his face grew as death-like as that of his wife. 

“It is the double ban,” he said faintly; Sigismund 
has fulfilled his threat. 

“Oh, God! Oh, God!” cried his wife, clasping her 
hands in despair. 

“It is all the Burgrave's way,” cried Dietrich, clench- 
ing his fists. 

“We are outlawed, and a dog will find more pro- 
tection than will be accorded us,” said Johann, hopeless- 
ly. “I dreaded that it would come; oh, that fiendish 
Franconian !” 

“Is there no way in which the double ban can be re- 
moved, Dietrich?” asked his wife, tearfully. 

“Only in one way; and that is to fight and conquer. 
The Burgrave encloses a message in this, saying that 
Friesack will be attacked to-morrow.” 

“And you will fight, Dietrich; you will fight?” 

“We must, Elizabeth, or be laid under the ruins of 
our castle.” 

“We will now be hunted like wild animals,” said 
Johann. “We must hurry away and reach the se- 
clusion and protection of our own castles before it be- 
comes known among the people that we are under the 
double ban. We have enemies who would be glad to 
kill us; farewell, Dietrich; farewell, Elizabeth.” 

69 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“Our only hope is in the Pomeranians,” said Dietrich, 
as he clasped his hands in farewell. 

“It is a terrible misfortune,” said Dietrich, taking his 
wife’s hand the moment the others left; “but we must 
make the best of it. Go, Elizabeth, and bring in our 
sons, Dietrich and little Johann; I have much to say 
to you and to them.” 

His wife left the apartment and soon returned with 
Dietrich, a boy of seventeen years, and his little brother, 
aged four. 

“The Kaiser has declared the double ban against me,” 
said the Knight, turning to his eldest son; “no one is 
to blame for it, but the Nuremberger; curse him. A 
bloody battle will be fought here. You know what a 
double ban means; I dare not fall living into the hands 
of any enemy; therefore, it must be a battle for life. 
The long-faced Franconian will find his match in me. 
And now that I may not be hampered in this, I wish 
you and your mother and little Johann to leave Friesack.” 

“No, father,” the boy was about to object, when his 
father silenced him, and continued what he wished to 
say to him and to the mother. 

“I wish you, Elizabeth, to go with your two sons to 
your father at Teupitz Castle; there you will all be 
safe; and will remain until this self-confident Burgrave 
turns with bloody head and bleeding heart from the 
strong walls of Friesack.” 

“Dietrich,” said his wife, taking his hand and look- 
ing into his eyes, “are you in earnest in asking me to 


70 


The Double Ban of the Empire. 


leave you in the hour of danger? Do you not know me 
better? No; here I remain, be the outcome what it 
may/’ 

“Be reasonable, Elizabeth; I pray you do not make 
my heart more anxious than it is. Go to your father, 
and my spirit will be free to battle when I know that you 
and the children are in safety.” 

“Dietrich, as you know, in all our married life, I 
have never been heedless of your wishes. Neither my 
life nor that of our children is in danger from the at- 
tack upon Friesack, and if we were in danger we could 
go to the dungeons below. Say no more ; you only dis- 
tress me, and without changing my mind; I have been 
with you in prosperity ; I will never abandon you in ad- 
versity.” 

“Father,” said his son Dietrich; “you may need the 
help of an arm that can swing a sword ; now, when you 
will be surrounded by enemies, could I have the heart 
to desert you? No; we will fight together, and if need 
be, die together ; I will not leave you ; nor will my loved 
mother.” 

“Then, if you will remain, you must; I cannot use 
force in having you go ; but can only hope that your re- 
maining will not be followed by any evil consequences. 
My heart is filled with anxiety for all, but especially for 
this little one,” and he took Johann up in his arms. 

“But I will kill the people that are after you, with my 
little wooden sword,” said the boy, putting his arm about 
his father’s neck. 


71 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


“Now/’ said the Knight, setting down after kissing 
the rosy lips, tenderly, “I must call together our people, 
and see who of them are faithful to the outlawed master, 
and who of them refuse to risk their lives for one who 
is under the double ban of the empire. Go, Dietrich, and 
tell the tower watchman to blow the horn to summon all 
my people to the court yard.” 

His son- immediately left the apartment, and a mo- 
ment later Hans Spoorman appeared with Korbula and 
Cecelia. 

“Welcome, Hans; always welcome; but to-day more 
than ever, for there is trouble brewing; but whose are 
these girls?” 

“They are prisoners, and useful ones, and it is luck 
for us that they fell in our way, for they are the chil- 
dren of Frederick Von Hohenzollern.” 

“The Burgrave ?” 

“Yes, gracious Herr; they, with their mother, came 
to see the great cannon; they wandered off to see a 
squirrel and we captured them. They will be useful in 
bringing the Franconian to terms. 

“You are right, Hans, and my Elizabeth will care for 
them as for our own.” 

The lady arose, and in her kind, sweet manner, led 
them to her apartments, and Dietrich turned again to 
Spoorman. 

“Do you hear the tower watchman’s horn, Hans? A 
great trouble has come upon me, and it is summoning 
all my people to the court-yard. Come with me and 
hear what is said.” 


72 


The Double Ban of the Umpire. 


They found all the men belonging to the estate gath- 
ered there, and Dietrich told them to* form in a half 
circle. 

“My men,’" he said, taking a place where all could 
hear, “I and my brother Johann, the Knight Cans Von 
Putlitz, and the Knight Wichard Von Rockow have been 
complained of to Kaiser Sigismund by the stranger from 
Franconia as breakers of the peace of Brandenburg, and 
are put under the double ban of the empire. You are 
shocked at hearing this, when as you know we have only 
an honorable feud against our enemies — the Archbishop 
of Magdeburg, and the Archbishop of Brandenburg. 
Now the Kaiser has made us outlaws. We have not de- 
served this, and must battle for life against the Bur- 
grave and his followers. I have known the most of you 
for a long time, and know you as brave men, without 
fear. If I have ever had need of you, it is now; and 
I feel sure that not one of you will act the shirk and 
leave me to my fate. Should any one of you have the 
heart of a hare in his breast, or does not wish to serve 
an outlaw, let him speak.’' 

There was silence, and a gleam of pleasure lighted 
the sad face of Von Quitzow. 

“Perhaps some one of you does not quite understand 
me,’ he said after a pause; “I will put the question in 
another form. Tf there is one of you who does not wish 
to stand by me in this trouble, let him raise his right 
hand.’ ” 

They all stood immovable. 


73 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“Excuse me, gracious Herr,’’ said Hans Spoorman, 
stepping forward; “let me say a word in the name of 
all. Believe me, your misfortune touches all our hearts. 
May God punish those who brought it upon you. How 
could you imagine that there is one among us so coward- 
ly as to leave you in trouble; we who have shared your 
good fortune? Had you said to me, ‘Hans, is there 
one man among my people that would desert me?’ I 
should have replied, ‘No, thank God; there is not such 
a miserable coward among us ;’ now you see it for your- 
self.” 

“Thank you, Hans, and I thank you all,” said Von 
Quitzow. “I am proud to have such men; I can count 
upon you, come what may.” 

“In life and death!” cried one and all. 


74 


CHAPTER VIIL 
In a PIvAce oe Reeuge. 

Like an island in the midst of a morass in the valley 
of the Havel river, was a tract of land known as 
Friesack, and on the edge of it was the castle of 
Friesack, one of the strongest fortified places in Bran- 
denburg. 

To surround it was only possible when the morass 
was frozen, which was the case on February 6th, 1414, 
when the troops of the Governor-General marched there 
and placed themselves in the wide circle around the 
thick stone walls that surrounded it and the court-yard. 

In the early morning of that day all was stir and ex- 
citement. On an elevation called Muehlberg, which com- 
manded a view of the castle, Frederick had encamped, 
and there the great Thuringian cannon had place. The 
hoofs of noble war horses thundered over the frozen 
ground bearing horsemen with bright helmets, breast- 
plates, lances and double-edged swords, while foot-sol- 
diers with their halberds, cross-bows and spears, marched 
to the music of trumpet and drum. 

The Burgrave and his shield-bearer had double cause 
for attacking Friesack, for word had been received by 
Frederick that Cecelia and Korbula were prisoners 
there, and he was determined to release them. 

It was not until the morning of the 8th that the at- 
tack was made, the Burgrave giving the signal for the first 
shot, adding “in God’s name and by His help.” 

75 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


It had been decided between him and the Thuringians 
that the tower should be the point of attack, and when 
the monster gun sent forth its first ball, the shock was 
so great that some of the men sank upon their knees, 
but quickly arose to witness with intense interest the 
result. 

When they looked toward the castle they were rejoiced 
to see that the work of the great gun was more effective 
than they had supposed possible; for the stone ball had 
gone through both walls of the tower, cutting two holes, 
and shattering the wall around them. 

The Knight Von Quitzow, his wife, and his son Die- 
trich, were in one of the apartments of the tower when 
they heard the terrible crash, and stone and plaster fell 
all about them. 

“Mother of God; what is that?” cried Dietrich, pale 
with fright, while Elizabeth sank almost unconscious 
upon the settle. 

With eyes blazing with rage, he looked up at the 
great hole over the window, then looked out upon Muehl- 
berg hill, where the smoke had lifted and seemed to be 
mingling with the clouds. 

“By the holy blood of Wilsnach, I had no idea that 
the cannon had such fearful power,” he exclaimed ; 
“both walls pierced by one ball. I must go and have the 
shot returned; but you must hurry from this room, 
Elizabeth; take the boy and go down to the dungeon; 
you will be safer there.” 

“And the Burgrave’s children? 

76 


In a Place of Refuge. 


'Xet Hans Spoorman take them to the dungeon under 
the little south tower. 

The Lady Elizabeth left the room, tears running down 
her pale cheeks and her hand pressed against her fast- 
beating heart. ‘T feared this would come to pass; I 
feared it,” she whispered. 

Dietrich went again to the window, followed by his 
son. 

“Mother of God!” he gasped; “there is the banner 
of the Count Von Linden ; he was once my friend ; was 
on my side in many a feud; now he is an ally of my 
enemy. And there is the banner of the Knight Otto 
Von Pflugk; that satanic Nuremberger has enveigled 
him to his side ; and there are the banners of other help- 
ers, all on his side, and the Pomeranians, upon whom I 
counted, have not come near me.” 

He hurried out, and gave orders to have the shot re- 
turned but the report and the effect of his baby cannon 
was like the squeaking of a mouse against the roar of 
a lion. 

The thunder of the great Thuringian gun was again 
heard but not against the tower, but upon the walls sur- 
rounding the castle. 

“They can amuse themselves as long as they please,” 
he remarked to one of his men; “no impression will be 
made upon that wall by their shots. 

But ball after ball in the same spot was having effect, 
and about noon a trumpeter bearing a white flag, came 
from the enemy’s camp, giving the information that 


77 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Refonnation. 


Castle Golzow had surrendered, and Knight Wichard 
Von Rockow had asked the clemency of the Burgrave. 

“It is a lie; a fiendish lie!” cried Von Quitzow, 
crushing the letter in his hand ; how could the Burgrave 
attack Golzow and Friesack at the same time; does he 
shake soldiers out of his pocket? And Wichard; — that 
brave, proud man ; would he cringe to the dastardly 
Nuremberger? In a day or two the Burgrave will be 
sending a messenger to tell me that Castle Plau has sur- 
rendered, and that my brother, Johann, is creeping to 
his feet ; he will not catch me with such chafif ;” and he 
threw the letter into the fire. 

He sat in deep thought for a moment, then was about 
to ascend to one of the towers with the hope of seeing 
the Pomeranians coming to his rescue, when Hans Spoor- 
man came in, looking pale and anxious. 

“Gracious Herr Dietrich,” he said in a trembling 
voice, “they have made a hole in the great wall large 
enough for a troop to march through; this castle that 
we thought so strong, is now at the mercy of the enemy.” 

“Then, all is over,” responded Von Quitzow, despair- 
ingly; “we may as well be buried in the ruins; I will 
never fall alive in the hands of the Burgrave.” 

“There is one last chance for you, gracious Herr,” 
said his faithful servitor; “our prisoners; the time has 
come when we can make use of them.” 

“You are right, Spoorman ; it is a ray of light in our 
dark night. Let the eldest girl write to her father that 
they are prisoners, and in a dungeon under the castle 
78 


In a Place of Refuge. 


where there is not a ray of light; I will send a trum- 
peter with the letter to the Burgrave’s camp. Hurry, 
Hans, it is our last chance.” 

Korbula and Cecelia were surprised when the old for- 
ester came into the dark dungeon with a light, and writ- 
ing materials, which he placed upon the mouldy table and 
addressed Korbula in a rough and threatening tone. 

“Your father has broken the walls of this castle with 
the stone balls of a great cannon, and if the shots do not 
cease we will all be buried in the ruins. But there is a 
way of escape and it must come through you as his eldest 
daughter.” 

Korbula had, to the great joy of Cecelia, never given 
Hans or any one in the castle a hint that she was not the 
daughter of the Burgrave, fearing she would be sent 
away from Cecelia, nor did the forester have the least 
idea that she was his niece and Arnold’s sister. 

“Tell me what you wish me to do,” said Korbula. 

“You are to write to your father to give up the siege, 
take his soldiers away, and in return we will give his 
children back to him.” 

“How will your Herr act to reward the Burgrave if 
this is done?” asked Korbula; “will he continue to tor- 
ment and oppose his ruler, as he has done?” 

“What business has a girl of your age to meddle in 
such matters?” asked Hans, angrily. 

“Oh, write to father quickly,” pleaded Cecelia. 

Korbula took up the pen and wrote: “ We are pris- 
oners of Herr Von Quitzow, but are well. Do not worry 
about us, but do as if we were not here.” 

79 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation, 


'‘What kind of gibberish is this ?” asked Hans, roughly, 
as he held it to the light; “no Christian man could read 
it/’ 

“The father can read it,” interposed Cecelia; “it is 
Latin, and father says that all important letters should 
be written in that language.” 

“Then come with me,” said Hans, in a milder tone; 
you are to be again with the lady of the castle;” and, 
rejoiced that they were again to see the sunlight, they 
followed to the apartments of Elizabeth. 

A few minutes later the draw-bridge was lowered, 
and a trumpeter with a white flag was on his way to 
Frederick’s camp with Korbula’s letter and one from 
Dietrich, who waited with feverish anxiety the return of 
the messenger. 

He soon returned, but the message he brought was 
anything but satisfying. The Governor-General refused 
emphatically to grant his request; Korbula’s letter had 
been of value to him. 

Dietrich Von Quitzow went below to the dungeon 
where his wife and child were secreted, sank upon a 
chair and folded his arms in despair. 

“It is all over,” he said mournfully; “Friesack is in 
the hands of the enemy, and the outlaw is a prisoner 
like a rat in a trap. I will not allow myself to fall 
alive into the hands of the Franconian robber. Would 
God, Elizabeth, you had taken my advice, and gone to 
your father, then one care would have been removed 
from my heart.” 


8o 


In a Place of Refuge. 


‘'But you can flee, Dietrich ; that is your only hope ; 
flee to your friends in Pomerania.” 

“Would you advise me to act the coward and flee 
from an enemy, and that enemy the hated Burgrave?” 

“But you would not be retreating from him, but from 
your misfortunes; it would be my death to see you fall 
into the Hohenzollern’s hands.” 

“I will take your advice ; I will call my people to- 
gether now, and in the darkness and fog of this night, 
we will surprise the enemy and have our revenge. Then 
in the same darkness and fog I will flee to Pomerania. 
Our son Dietrich will go with us to the camp of the 
enemy, will witness the fight and return to you. Now 
I must summon Hans Spoorman and tell him all.” 

“Am I not to go with you to attack the enemy ?” asked 
Hans, when the plan was explained to him. 

“No ; at the time we leave here to-night, I wish you 
and Ludeck to take the two prisoners to Plan Castle. 
As children of the Burgrave, they may be of more use 
there, than they have been to me. Tell my brother 
Johann all that has happened to us, and warn him of 
that monster cannon.” 

Later, when darkness set in with a dense fog. Von 
Quitzow went to the apartment where his little Johann 
lay in sweet sleep, and pressed a kiss upon the moist 
lips ; then taking his wife in his arms, he kissed her 
tenderly, with tears of grief in his sad eyes. 

“Farewell, my Elizabeth; my loved wife, farewell!” 

8i 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


he said brokenly; then descended to the court-yard, 
where his men awaited his orders. 

When he reached it, he found his men wrapping the 
hoofs of the horses with wampum to deaden the sound, 
the weapons were in place, the men were mounted, then 
the draw-bridge was lowered, and as silently as possible, 
they set out for Muehlberg, and the weakest spot of the 
enemy’s camp. 

Following them across the bridge and mounted upon 
two strong, safe horses, were Hans Spoorman with 
Korbula, and Ludeck with Cecelia, bound for Plan Castle, 
traveling side by side, slowly in the darkness. 

In the meantime Dietrich and his men had reached the 
camp of the Burgrave, where all was still, and all slept 
except the sentinels at their posts. 

“Who goes there?” cried the first sentinel; but these 
were his last words; Dietrich’s sword pierced him and 
sent him mortally wounded to the earth. 

But his one cry had roused the camp and all was con- 
fusion. 

“Strike now!” cried Dietrich, as the startled soldiers 
rushed toward them from their tents, and the battle cry 
was heard from Von Quitzow and his men. 

But through command of Frederick, order was soon re- 
stored; his men fought valiantly against the armored 
Knight, but many fell and dyed the frozen ground with 
their blood. 

“It is enough!” cried Von Quitzow; “go back to the 
83 


In a Place of Refuge. 


castle, Dietrich, and to your mother; give her all the 
comfort you can and he dashed swiftly away. 

The Lady Elizabeth had stood at one of the windows 
facing Muehlberg, vainly striving to see through the fog 
and darkness, and listening with anguish to the clash of 
arms. Then she heard the tower watchman’s horn, the 
draw-bridge was lowered, and the hoofs of the horses 
thundered over it. 

“Your father, Dietrich!” she cried, runnnig to her 
son the moment he entered; “did he escape?” 

“Yes, in the darkness and fog he rode away; no one 
knew when he went, nor whither.” 

“To God and the saints, be all the praise!” she cried, 
raising her eyes to heaven in thankfulness. 

The next day Frederick took possession of the castle 
as belonging to the government, and Elizabeth and her 
children were allowed to depart, taking everything she 
wished, with her; the servants following, but without 
their weapons. 

The way to her father’s castle led over the Muehlberg 
hill, directly through the enemy’s camp, and by the great 
gun that has caused her such trouble. The soldiers lined 
up on each side of the way through which she must pass, 
but she heeded them not; her thoughts were upon the 
beautiful land once happy home she was leaving forever ; 
only once she turned before descending the hill to gaze 
upon it; then Friesack disappeared from her view. 

During this time her husband was on his way to Pome- 
rania, and after leaving his enemy’s camp, had taken the 

83 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


way through the forest, thus avoiding meeting some one 
who might even on that dark night recognize him and 
take his life. 

The night was so dark that he was compelled to let 
his horse guide the way ; the fog made the way drearier 
than usual, and his spirits were at as low ebb as was 
possible for them to be. 

Wolves howled, foxes barked, he heard the crackling 
of underbrush, and the low growling of a bear. The 
knight put his hand upon his sword, but the animal made 
no attack, although owing to the underbrush, his horse 
could not travel fast ; and he breathed more freely when 
he found that the bear was coming no nearer. 

He traveled as fast as was possible, for he was anx- 
ious to put all the distance he could between him and 
the enemy’s camp before daylight, for he realized that 
he must travel at night, as the only prospect of safety; 
he dared not risk the light of day. 

Presently he heard voices in the distance; he sprang 
from his horse, and drew it behind a thick clump of 
bushes, and put his hand over its mouth, dreading that 
it might whinker and betray his place of concealment. 
They were peasants returning from a neighboring vil- 
lage and were chatting as they walked along. 

'Tt is the best news we have heard for many a day,” 
said one of them, '‘that Dietrich Von Quitzow — curse 
him — has been the cause of all the trouble in Branden- 
burg.” 

“Yes, thank God ; his evil course is about run,” replied 
84 


In a Place of Refuge. 


his companion; “the Governor-General — may the saints 
bless him — has rid us of him, and no one knows where 
he is. But the best of it is, that every person in this part 
of Brandenburg knows him, and any one of us can 
make way with the outlaw, knowing that we are doing 
the country a service to kill him. The peace-destroyer 
would get only what he has a thousand times deserved.” 

These words pierced the heart of the banned and mis- 
erable man, and he was glad when the peasants passed 
beyond his hearing. He knew that what they said was 
the truth; he had brought real distress upon them by 
his feuds, and had never shown one ray of compassion 
for them ; a hare in the forest being of as much account 
in his estimation as a peasant. He realized that he was 
at the mercy of these very men, and could not count upon 
one of them to protect him from want or danger. 

He also realized that his progress through the forest 
had been so slow that it would be impossible for him to 
reach the borders of Pomerania by daylight. “Where 
could he remain by day?” he asked himself. It would be 
impossible to hide himself and his horse in the den of 
some wild animal, or behind a thicket of underbrush. 
Was there any one of his former friends among the 
Brandenburg nobility whom he could trust? 

He called to memory Werner Von Holzendorf, whose 
castle — Botzow, was a few miles from Kremmen, which 
lay before him, and he resolved to go there. 

Werner had been one of his most faithful friends; 
but when Frederick Von Hohenzollern had taken the 

85 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


reins of government, he had not been among those who 
resisted him, nor had he taken part in the meeting; but 
had remained neutral. Yes, he would seek shelter of 
him; he would see if he remained a friend to one who 
had become an outlaw. 

He rode through the dark and quiet streets of Krem- 
men, then out upon the country road beyond it, then 
through the great forest belonging to Botzow. 

It was in the early dawn of the morning before he 
reached the outer wall of the castle, then the draw- 
bridge, where he awoke the sentinel. 

“What gallows-bird is this who is waking me at this 
hour?” cried a rough voice, from a little window over 
the door. 

“A friend of your master,” replied Dietrich; “let me 
in; I have business with him.” 

“Any rascal could say he is a friend of my master; 
my business is to know what friend.” 

“I will tell him,” was the answer after a moment’s 
reflection. 

“It is only a thief who is ashamed or afraid to tell 
his name. You will have to wait until it is light enough 
for me to see your face;” and the old man was about 
to leave the window. 

“Wait a minute,” cried Dietrich ; “can you see this ?” 
and he rapped three times upon his armored breast, then 
held up his right arm while his left hand lay upon his 
heart. 


86 


In a Place of Refuge. 


This was the sign of the covenant between him and 
Werner, and the sentinel recognized it. 

‘T will go and wake Herr Von Holzendorf, that he 
may see you,” and the sentinel disappeared. 

“Now I am to see whether as an outlaw, I stand upon 
the same footing as when a rich knight,” said Dietrich 
to himself; “I am to see whether there is one man in 
Brandenburg who is a real friend to me.” 

“Who are you, armored knight, and upon what busi- 
ness have you come to see me at such an early hour?” 
was questioned in the deep voice of the owner of Botzow. 

“Are you alone, Herr Von Holzendorf? I wish to 
speak a word to you in private.” 

The sentinel was sent out of hearing, and then the 
visitor was invited to make his errand known. 

“Werner, my old friend; don’t you know me?” was 
asked in the natural tone of voice. 

“Gracious God, and the holy ones; it is Dietrich!” 
exclaimed his friend in a shocked but subdued tone ; “in 
the name of heaven, what has brought you here at this 
unusual hour?” 

“Do not speak my name, Werner,” was the anxious 
request of the outlaw; “strange things have happened 
in the last few days ; will you admit me that I may tell 
you ?” 

The order was given promptly, the draw-bridge was 
lowered, the entrance door opened, and the traveler 
stepped from his weary horse and was received by his 

87 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


host, who was about to throw his arm about him in 
greeting. 

“Wait, Werner,” said Von Quitzow, sadly; “I must 
tell you that I have come to you for protection. Kaiser 
Sigismund has pronounced the double ban of the empire 
against me, and my life is not for one moment safe; 
must I pass on?” 

“Have you so little confidence in me, as to ask such 
a question? You are cold and weary; take this seat 
upon the hearth while I stir the smouldering logs.” 

Soon a cheery blaze was illuminating every corner of 
the apartment, and then Von Holzendorf took a seat be- 
side his guest. 

“Now tell me all,” he said; “I have heard nothing, 
except that the new Governor-General demands the re- 
turn of some of the castles to the government; has he 
demanded Friesack?” 

Dietrich’s face turned a shade paler as he answered, 
“he took possession of Friesack to-day.” 

“Did you resign it to him of your own free will?” 
asked his campanion, in astonishment. 

“No, Werner; he so shattered my beautiful Friesack 
that it was no longer a place of protection; and I was 
forced to escape from imprisonment and death.” 

“Certainly you are jesting, Dietrich,” said his friend; 
“the walls of Friesack could withstand any attack.” 

“Do I appear as one who could afiford to jest? I am 
telling you the exact truth. Would I, an outlaw, dare 
to come here if I had the walls of my castle to protect 
me ?” gg 


In a Place of Refuge. 


^‘But by the blood of Wilsnach, it seems impossible. 
Did the Burgrave cause the walls to fall as, did the walls 
of Jericho when the children of Israel marched around 
them?’’ 

“No, Werner, it was a monster cannon from Thur- 
ingia, which, with its great stone balls, did the work. 
The first shot went through both walls of the tower;” 
and he described the attack to his astonished host. 

When he finished. Von Holzendorf laid his hand upon 
the shoulder of the banned knight and glanced with real 
compassion into the pale, sad face. 

“Dietrich,” he said in a voice he strove to render calm, 
“you are the strongest and bravest of us all. I hope 
you will bear manfully what I have to tell you. You 
say that you crave my protection for this one day, and 
in the darkness to-night you will continue your journey 
to Pomerania. It is of no use for you to go, for the 
Dukes of Pomerania have been warned by Sigismund 
under penalty of the ban of the empire to take no part 
against the Burgrave, and the roads to that country are 
watched. A price will be set upon your head, and every 
efiPort made to capture you.” 

“What must I do?” asked Von Quitzow, despairingly. 

“Remain here under my protection, at least until such 
time as the great danger in going to Pomerania is past.” 

“All my hopes are dust and ashes,” said the miserable 
man, shading his ashy face with his hands. “Don’t tell 
me any more, Werner ; let me rest.” 

His friend took him to a secluded room, carried re- 

89 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


freshment to him and left him for several hours of rest, 
then went and spoke to him. 

“It is unsafe for you to remain under my roof, Die- 
trich,” he said anxiously ; “I find that some of my people 
have seen you, and would recognize you should they 
see you again ; and I could not restrain them to silence. 
I have considered a plan for your safety. You remember 
a castle of mine called Neumuehl, that was partially de- 
stroyed by the Pomeranians, twelve years ago. It has 
never been rebuilt, but has a few comfortable rooms. 
But what is of more importance, it lies secluded and soli- 
tary in the heart of the forest. Only one serving man 
and his wife live there. Neither of them have ever seen 
you. I will give out that you are a wounded servant 
of the Von Quitzows; will tell them to take good care 
of you, and not chatter about you outside.” 

“I thank you, Werner, for all your goodness ; between 
me and a servant, there is no difference ; and wounded I 
am, in the heart.” 

He arose and put on the suit of servant’s clothing that 
his friend had provided and set out for Neumuehl, fol- 
lowing the direction given him by Werner, who in a half 
hour joined him as agreed, and the two kept the most se- 
cluded paths until they reached the ruined castle, where 
his tried friend sought out the most comfortable room, 
and Dietrich went directly to bed. 

Among the charges given to the old people for taking 
care of the wounded servant, Werner, before leaving, 
had told them not to trouble him with questions. But 


90 


In a Place of Refuge. 


the face of one from the outside world was such a pleas- 
ure to them that while not disobeying the commands 
given them by asking questions, they could not refrain 
from telling him any bit of news that once in a while 
reached them. 

'‘I must tell you,” said the old man, one day, “the 
Governor-General has taken Friesack, and your master 
has run away, and no one knows where he is. He is a 
terribly wicked man, and a price is set upon his head, 
and everybody is anxious to get the money. It will not 
be long before somebody has him by the collar, and we 
will be glad, for although he was your master, we must 
say that he has never done anything but bring trouble 
upon the people of Brandenburg. 


91 


CHAPTER IX. 

Th^ Fortunes oe War. 

It had been Hans Spoorman’s ardent wish to go with 
Dietrich Von Quitzow to attack the camp of Frederick, 
but to act against the wishes of the Knight never crossed 
his mind. He had dallied after leaving the drawbridge, 
as long as possible had heard the shouts, the clash of 
steel, the tones of command, the cries of the wounded. 

He heard the men galloping back to the castle and 
over the drawbridge, and from another direction the 
steady beat of the hoofs of the Knight Dietrich’s war 
horse, and drops of moisture not caused by the mists 
of the night rolled down his bronze cheeks and found 
hiding place in his gray beard. 

It was nearly daybreak when they reached a poor little 
inn on the edge of a forest, where the weary girls sank 
to sleep upon the straw bed in a shed room adjoining the 
main one, and Hans and Ludeck rested upon a rough 
bench in a corner of the great stone flagged hearth. 

The sun had risen but its rays did not penetrate 
through the little window of the inn, when three horse- 
men rode to the door, and one of them, a young and 
handsome soldier came in. 

“Thank God that I have found you, uncle!” he said 
cheerily as he clasped the hand of Hans Spoorman. 

“Arnold my boy!” cried Hans clasping him in his 
arms, “oh, the joy of seeing you again.” 

92 


The Fortunes of War. 


“And the girls where are they asked the young man 
as he glanced about the poor room'. 

“Arnold dear Arnold, here we are, and Korbula ran 
to him, and threw her arms about his neck as he bent 
to kiss her upon the brow and lips. 

“Boy, how dare you !” exclaimed his uncle in a shocked 
tone, “she is a princess, the daughter of the Burgrave 
Frederick.” 

“She is my sister, uncle, she is Korbula; my sister and 
your niece.” 

“But I cannot understand it; said the bewildered 
man ;” why did not the girl tell me that I am her uncle ?” 

“Because I did not know it;” laughed Korbula. 
“Only the name ‘Hans’ was mentioned in my hearing, 
and there are plenty of men named ‘Hans.’ Besides I 
thought you lived alone in a cabin in the forest; I did 
not know you were a soldier.” 

“Nor was the name ‘Korbula mentioned in my hear- 
ing. By the holy blood of Wilsnach, I am proud of my 
niece. Child of my dead sister forgive your old uncle 
for his unkindness when you were a prisoner.” 

“You were not unkind uncle, you only talked in a 
rough tone; come Cecelia and tell him why we were 
careful not to let any one know that I was not the Bur- 
grave’s daughter.” 

“I was afraid we would be taken from each other; 
replied the little girl, coming from the shed room and 
speaking in a friendly manner to Arnold; “I could not 
have lived, had it not been for Korbula.” 

P3 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


At this moment the innkeeper brought in trenchers of 
rabbit-stew, which Hans had ordered for breakfast, and 
with brown bread it was heartily enjoyed by all the trav- 
elers. 

“Come children,’’ said Hans when they had finished, 
the innkeeper had been paid, and Ludeck had brought the 
horses to the door, “Come, we must keep on our journey 
to Plau Castle.” 

“No, uncle;” said Arnold, “the Burgrave and the 
Princess Elizabeth have been in great distress of mind 
in the absence of their daughter and Korbula; I have 
followed to take them back to Brandenburg Castle, they 
cannot go to Plau.” 

“How did he know they had been sent there?” 

“One of the Knight Von Quitzow’s men was taken 
prisoner during the attack upon the Burgrave’s camp, and 
was released upon condition that he would tell where the 
prisoners were. Now we must go.” 

The Burgrave’s daughter shall go to Plau, it was my 
master’s orders.” 

“But uncle, I and my men can take them from you; 
do not force us to do this; why do you make me speak 
so harshly to you?” 

“And why do you anger one with your threat? Can 
I go like a coward to Plau Castle, and tell the Knight 
Johann Von Quitzow that I gave the children up, instead 
of bringing them as prisoners to help him in his battle 
against the Burgrave?” 

“Do, uncle let Cecelia go to her home, where they are 


94 


The Fortunes of War. 


grieving so much because of her absence. She was of 
no help at Friesack — as you know; and she will be of 
no help at Plan.” 

“Let me go back to my father and mother;” pleaded 
Cecelia weeping bitterly. 

“It is of no use children,” said Spoorman, touched at 
sight of her tears, “I have promised, and it is my duty 
to keep my promise. I have also promised to protect you 
children with my life, and that promise I too will keep ; 
and when there is no need to keep you longer I will take 
you back to the Burgrave.” 

“Uncle you have done all in your power to keep your . 
promise, and I tell you that it will be of no use to go 
to Plau,” insisted Arnold; the girls must go with me. 
With a nod to my men we can take them from you, and 
be off before you could mount your horses.” 

“Give them the nod if you wish;” replied the old man 
grimly, “but it will be only over my dead body that you 
get the children from me.” 

“Uncle, set Cecelia free and let her return to the 
Castle with Arnold;” suggested Korbula; “I will go to 
Plau with you; then you will be keeping as much of 
your promise as was in your power to keep.” 

“Would you really go without Cecelia?” asked her 
brother giving her a meaning glance. 

“Yes, I will go; I came with uncle, and will gladly 
continue the journey with him,” she responded under- 
standing his glance. 

“She will not go without the princess;” said the old 
95 


Prince Frederick and the Dazm of the Reformation. 


man sturdily; '‘it is the Burgrave’s daughter that is to 
be the helper of the Knight Johann Von Quitzow.” 

In the heat of the contest, Spoorman did not notice 
that Cecelia at a sign from Arnold, had gone outside ; he 
quickly followed, mounted his horse took the little girl 
before him, and before his uncle could follow was gallop- 
ing off in the direction of Brandenburg Castle, accom- 
panied by his two attendants. 

The moment that Spoorman noticed their absence he 
rushed to the door, but only to see the retreating forms 
in the distance; he sank down upon the bench in de- 
pair; and Korbula tried to comfort him. 

“I will follow them, he said; I will bring the princess 
back by force.’’ 

“It would be of no use, uncle, you could not overtake 
them ; and it is better that you broke a promise that you 
were powerless to keep, than for Arnold to disobey the 
Burgrave, when it was in his power to obey. Come now, 
and let us continue our journey to Plau.” 

“Her words seemed to have influence upon his de- 
pressed spirits; he mounted his horse, took her on be- 
fore him and accompanied by Ludeck kept on to the 
home of Johann Von Quitzow. 

Plau Castle was situated a short distance from the 
village of Plau, was on marshy land in the bend of the 
river Havel, and like Friesack, could be surrounded by 
the enemy only in winter when the swampy land was 
frozen. It was surrounded by a thick, high wall, in 
96 


The Fortunes of War. 


which were port-holes for the six cannons which the 
Knight had provided for the protection of his Castle. 

Each cannon was capable of throwing a two pound 
stone ball, and Von Quitzow considered that it was well 
fortified for any attack, for he had not heard of the tak- 
ing of Friesack, and the surrender of Golzow, nor that 
the Thuringian cannon could throw a twenty-five pound 
stone ball. 

The day after the capture of Friesack, the army of his 
enemy the Archbishop Gunther of Magdeburg under the 
command of Count Henry Von Schwartz encamped op- 
posite Plan Castle. 

The next day there was a trumpet signal that a mes- 
sage in writing was being sent from the enemy's camp 
and the Knight descended from the tower from whence 
he had been viewing it, to receive the missive. It in- 
formed him that Castel Golzow had surrendered, that 
Friesack had been taken by the Burgrave’s army, and 
that the Knight Johann Von Quitzow would be acting 
the part of wisdom to surrender Plan before it became 
the next object of attack. 

‘‘Tell the good priest that he cannot frighten a Von 
Quitzow with such a goblin story," he said after reading 
it, and the messenger departed. 

But his wife — Agnes — did not take the message so 
lightly, and begged him to send a messenger to Branden- 
burg to see if the report were true, but Johann consid- 
ered it too ridiculous for belief, and it was therefore the 
greater shock to him when a soldier who had just come 

97 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


from Brandenburg reported that Friesack had been 
taken by the troops of the Governor-General, that the 
Knight Dietrich Von Quitzon had fled, and upon street 
corners were notices offering a reward for his capture, 
dead or alive. 

“Can that be possible!” exclaimed Johann faintly; 
“poor, poor brother.” He again ascended to the tower, 
but saw all was quiet in the Magdeburg camp. 

“Can it be possible that the Hohenzollern is coming to 
their help and they are waiting for him?” he said to 
himself as he descended to his apartment where he met 
Wilken Wolffen, the tower watchman, who came to tell 
him that two soldiers had come from Brandenburg, and 
brought with them a girl; and the Knight ordered him 
to bring them in. 

“Hans Spoorman!” he cried in astonishment, “what 
news do you bring me of my brother ?” 

“The very worst; Friesack is in the hands of the 
Burgrave, its walls broken, a price is upon his head and 
he has fled to Pomerania.” 

“Are you sure that he escaped?” asked Johann anx- 
iously. Yes, from back of the enemy’s camp I heard 
the beat of the hoofs of his war horse.” 

“Did he leave any message for me?” 

“He said to hold fast to Plau until he could send a 
company of Pomeranians to help you.” 

“And is it true that the Burgrave has a great cannon 
from Thuringia?” 

Too true, and I fear that it is on its way here. No 
wall could stand against it.” 

98 


The Fortunes of War. 


''And this girl, who is she?’’ 

“My niece, Korbula Hagener;” and Spoorman told 
the story of his not being able to bring the young prin- 
cess. 

“It was wiser to take her home; she would have been 
of no use here.” 

“Is it your wish that I should stay?” 

“Yes, I will have use for such a faithful friend, in 
this evil time. Go now and seek your rest, but first take 
your niece to the tower sentinel, and he will put her in 
charge of his daughter Margaret.” 

The next day the camp of the enemy seemed to have 
waked from its sleep; trumpets were blowing, drums 
beating, and voices sounded, all seemed as If in prepara- 
tion for some great event, and Von Quitzow again as- 
cended to the tower to have a better view. 

He saw to his dismay that a great number of men 
was added to the enemy’s camp with banners, ammu- 
nition wagons, and other supplies, and a horseman bear- 
ing a white flag was coming toward the castle. 

Knight Von Quitzow descended to the first floor to 
receive him, and the young soldier with bound eyes was 
led into his presence. 

“In the name of the reverend nobleman, the Arch- 
bishop of Magdeburg — ” he said, “I ask you Knight 
Johann Von Quitzow for the last time, to give up your 
castle into the hands of his grace the Archbishop, that 
there may yet be time to crave the clemency of Prince 
Frederick Von Hohenzollern, Governor-General of 

99 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Brandenburg, and acknowledge him as your ruler. If 
you refuse this, Plau shall be taken by storm, and you 
will be a prisoner. If you desire it, you can take a short 
time for reflection.’* 

“I wish no time for reflection;” exclaimed Johann, 
“say to your commander that I rely upon my strong 
walls and my trusty sword. Docs he imagine that a 
Von Quitzow is cowardly enough to give up his castle 
without an effort to retain it?” 

The messenger left the castle and Johann descended 
to the Court yard to speak to Hans Spoorman and his 
men, when there was a terrific report, stone and plaster 
fell upon the flagged court-yard and the castle seemed 
to totter upon its foundations. 

The first-ball from the great cannon had done its fear- 
ful work, and pale from fright the servants came from 
all directions. Poor Ludeck, alone knew nothing of the 
extent of the disaster ; he lay dead under the stones that 
had fallen from the tower; and the grief of Hans 
Spoorman was deep, as he stood over the body of one 
who had all his life been faithful to Dietrich Von Quit- 
zow. 

The Knight gave orders to have the shot returned, 
then hurried to the apartment where he had left his wife 
to calm her fears and to advise her to retreat to a safer 
place in the castle. 

The balls from the great gun were making such im- 
pression upon the outer wall, that before evening, he lost 
hope and courage, and yielded to the entreaties of his 


100 


The Fortunes of War. 


wife and Hans, to take to flight to avoid becoming a 
prisoner. 

It was decided that he should not start during the 
night, owing to the danger of going astray; but at day- 
break, accompanied by Hans, and under the protection 
of the bushes and bulrushes on the low shore of the 
river, creep past the enemy’s camp, while his tried and 
faithful servant, Schwalbe would some time after fol- 
low, leading Johann’s swift and beautiful war horse, and 
join them in the forest of bushes beyond the camp. 

There was no sleep for them that night, and at four 
o’clock of a damp, cloudy morning, Johann bade his 
loved wife farewell, neither of them making effort to 
conceal their tears for they who had ever been tenderly 
loving were to part, perhaps forever. 

Wrapped in long black mantles, Johann and Hans 
crept through a small door in the wall at the back of 
the castle, and passed noislessly down to the frozen river 
where under the protection of the high bushes they 
breathed more freely. 

Crouching low they waited for Schwalbe and the 
horse, but heard no sound. 

'‘To think that I should be lying here watching and 
hoping for a horse, which would at this time be worth 
more than the crown of a king, and which does not 
come;” whispered Von Quitzow; “ I dread that he has 
been captured,” he added despairingly. 

'Tt is always darkest just before daylight;” comforted 
Hans; "and hark! I hear, yes, I certainly hear the slow 

lOI 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


tread of a horse’s hoofs upon the ice,” and he arose 
cautiously, as did Johann. 

“Thank God it is Schwalbe and my war horse; now 
we are saved,” and he advanced to take the bridle. 

He had appeared too suddenly in his black mantle 
before the eyes of the spirited horse, which grew fright- 
ened and bolted, and the bridle slipped from the hand 
of Von Quitzow. 

“Everything is against me,” moaned the fugitive in 
anguish of mind, as the animal as if in play, ran out 
upon the ice in full view of the enemy’s camp; then as 
if repenting of his misdeed, returned to his master; but 
as Von Quitzow reached out for the bridle he again 
galloped away over the ice.” 

“There is nothing left for me to do but to lie hidden 
in the bushes until night;” said Von Quitzow helplessly; 
and at that moment they heard the beat of horses hoofs. 

“It is your horse coming back;” said Schwalbe peep- 
ing out. 

“No, there are several of them;” whispered Hans. 

“Holy blood of Wilsnach we are surrounded,” said 
Von Quitzon, “my own horse has betrayed me.” 

“Hello, comrade, here they are! cried a voice, and in 
a moment the three were thrown upon the ice bound 
with strong cords and taken to the enemy’s camp. 

Arnold Hagener’s tender heart was pierced with grief 
at seeing his uncle one of the prisoners; but soon took 
comfort from the thought that he was a prisoner of the 
Burgrave, would be taken to Brandenburg, and his im- 
prisonment would be of short duration. 


102 


The Fortunes of War. 


Johann Von Quitzow was, by Archbishop Gunther’s 
order, brought directly to his tent; and if his reverence 
had expected to see his old enemy humbled, he was 
mistaken; for Von Quitzow wore the same haughty look 
that he had always worn, and replied to the questions of 
the Archbishop in anything but a subdued manner. 

Incensed beyond measure to find that after all Von 
Quitzow was, in spirit, the victor, and he the vanquished, 
the Archbishop gave orders that his special prisoner 
should be lead through the streets of the village of Plau 
to the church, and well guarded there; while Hans 
Spoorman and Schwalbe were taken to the prisoners’ 
tent in the camp. 

The streets and windows in Plau were filled with 
spectators to witness the humiliation of Von Quitzow. 
Not one look of compassion was cast upon him as he 
passed, and the street boys made him a target for their 
mocking laughter and jeers. 

All his life among them he had been a menace to their 
peace; he had caused anger, terror and misery; and in 
consequence, was hated as well as feared. 

The crowd followed and filled the church to its ut- 
most capacity to witness the putting of chains upon the 
wrists and ankles of the prisoner. 

He was kept there all that day and the night, and 
the church became for the time a show-place to the 
neighborhood; and the miserable man was compelled to 
listen to bitter comments, and see smiles of scorn and 
contempt. 


103 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


He had risked all and lost. Gone from him were his 
wife, his brother, his wealth and power. He was an 
outcast, under the double ban of the empire; all he had 
claimed as his own, was confiscated to the Government, 
and his home was to be the damp and mouldy under- 
ground dungeon of Kalbe Castle on the river Saale, it 
being one of the castles of Magdeburg, and he the pris- 
oner of the Archbishop. 

The next morning he was taken there, and as he de- 
scended the steps, he bade adieu to the world, its sun- 
light and cheer. 

The same day the castle of Plau was in possession of 
Frederick Von Hohenzollem. The camp was broken 
up. Archbishop Gunther returned to his palace in Mag- 
deburg, Schwalbe was given his liberty, the Burgrave 
returned to Brandenburg with his soldiers, taking with 
them Hans Spoorman as prisoner of war, and Arnold 
taking Korbula to the castle where she was received 
and welcomed by the Princess Elizabeth as a loved and 
long absent daughter, and by the children as a beloved 
elder sister. 


104 


CHAPTER X. 

The Faithfue Servant. 

A few days after the return to Brandenburg Hans 
Spoorman was summoned to appear before the Gover- 
nor-General. 

Frederick had ascertained that his one prisoner of 
war was Arnold’s uncle, and he wished to be of use to 
the relative of one who was so dear to him as was his 
young shield bearer. 

“What can I do for you?” he asked kindly when the 
old man stood before him. 

“Nothing; except to give me my liberty. Now that 
my forest cabin with all else that belonged to my master 
has been wrested from him, by you, it is no longer my 
home.” 

“Nor has your master a home. He is an outlaw, 
whom no one must harbor under penalty of the ban of 
the empire ; and all the roads in the kingdom are watched 
in order to capture him.” 

“What!” cried Spoorman excitedly, “is not my master 
— Dietrich Von Quitzow in Pomerania among his true 
friends?” 

“No, thanks to my men, he has not succeeded in his 
attempt. From one of his former adherents I have heard 
where he is hiding and my men are now on his track. 
The next hiding place of the outlaw will be the dungeon ; 
do you wish to share it with him?” 


105 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“I certainly do wish it. If such a fate overtakes him, 
Hans Spoorman will share it gladly.” “That would be 
only a punishment for you and of no use to him;, but 
instead, you can remain at liberty, and I will give you a 
forester’s place; and not the poorest one in Branden- 
burg.” 

“Serve you 1” ejaculated Spoorman scornfully, “serve 
you, who alone are the cause of all the misery that has 
befallen my master? Never! You must have a poor 
opinion of Arnold’s uncle if you think I can be bought. 
Do not give yourself any trouble about me, I can take 
care of myself.” 

“But I do not offer it as a bribe. I long to have 
Arnold’s uncle in my service, and will do well by him.” 

“I will not be in your service; I will search for my 
master until I find him.” “Then go in God’s name and 
with His blessing; you are no longer my prisoner.” 

The same day Hans bade his nephew farewell, and 
laying aside his soldier’s clothes, and resuming those of 
a hunter, he placed about him his weapons and set out 
for Pomerania. He would search until he found his 
master, would warn him of his danger, would conceal 
him, and protect him with his life. 

As he trudged along through the forest, once his 
home, he tried to think who among the friends of the 
Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow, would be likely to re- 
main faithful to him, and would grant him protection. 

He called to mind the noble men who met at the inn 
at Wilsnach and entered into a covenant with him 
io6 


The Faithful Servant. 


against the Burgrave. Three had remained faithful to 
that covenant, — Cans Von Putlitz, Wickard Von 
Rochow, and Johann Von Quitzow — and they were all 
disgraced and lying in dungeons. The others were either 
on the side of the Governor-General, or were neutral. 

A thought came into the mind of Hans, and he stopped 
suddenly and reflected. The Knight Werner Von Holz- 
endorf had taken no part against the Burgrave, but had 
remained neutral. He and Dietrich had been friends; 
had been allies in feuds. Botzow castle was not far out 
of the way in going to Pomerania. It might be that 
Von Holzendorf had run the risk of giving his old friend 
protection; he would go to Botzow castle and see; and 
filled with this hope he moved quickly forward. 

In passing through the great forest between Krem- 
men and Botzow, he met a group of horsemen wearing 
the uniform of soldiers of the Burgrave. 

“Ho, old man;” called one of them, “can you tell us 
in what direction from here is a ruined castle named 
Neumuehl? We have gotten ourselves lost in these 
woods, and we have seen no one to set us right.” 

“Do you mean the old place belonging to the Knight 
Werner Von Holzendorf? asked Hans. 

“The same; and I felt sure that an old hunter and 
forester like you would know.” 

“Know; I should think so, when I helped fight with 
my master against the Pomeranians who destroyed it in 
1402. 

“So, is Von Holzendorf your master?” 


107 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


“I have no master; I am in the garb and with the 
weapons of a hunter as you see. The Burgrave has 
asked me to be in his service as hunter and forester.” 

“Is that so!” cried the horsemen in a delighted tone; 
“so you are in the service of the Burgrave although you 
do not own to having a master; but you are one of us, 
and can tell us what we wish to knew.” 

“Certainly I can tell you were Neumuehl is ;” said 
Hans in all sincerity ; “what next do you want to know ?” 

“Do you believe that the outlaw Von Quitzow is hid- 
den there? We have been told that he is; have you 
heard it also?” 

“No; I heard that he had escaped, and supposed that 
he went to Pomerania ; that is all that I know about it.” 

“But you know that old castle Neumuehl; is there 
any place about the old nest that would furnish him- a 
hiding place?” 

“There might be;” replied the forester, as if reflect- 
ing,” but can you believe that the proud Von Quitzow 
would stay for a moment in such a miserable place?” 

“But we have heard that two old servants of Von 
Holzendorf stay there, and the outlaw would be well 
satisfied in his need to find shelter there.” “Yes but 
Holzendorf has plenty of other places more secure for 
the outlaw than Neumuehl.” 

“But Holzendorf and Quitzow are sly foxes; that 
may be the very reason that Neumuehl was chosen as a 
hiding place. At any rate, we have heard that the out- 
law is there, and there we intend to go.” 

io8 


The Faithful Servant, 


“It certainly will be well for you if you find the miser- 
able outlaw;” remarked Hans, “I will go with you to 
where the roads part and show you the way.” 

This favor was received gratefully, and when they 
came to the spot which was the shortest way for him 
to take to Neumuehl, he directed them to take the other 
road, knowing that it would lead them far out of the 
way, and the moment they were hidden from view by 
the thick underbrush, he set out on a run for Neumuehl. 

“Thank God that through them I know where my 
master is, and may He forgive me for my deception, 
and not count it a sin against me that to save my master 
I have lied,” he said to himself as he ran along. 

Neumuehl was yet more than a mile away, and he ran 
to the full extent of his ability, fearing that the horse- 
men would meet another forester who would put them 
on the right track. He looked neither to the right or 
the left, and it was only when he ascended a hill that he 
slackened his pace that he might recover breath for 
further exertion. 

He had almost reached the place when he heard the 
sound of a horse’s hoofs. He halted and looked back 
and to his joy he saw that the stately armored horseman, 
was the Knight Werner Von Holzendorf. 

“You here, Spoorman?” asked the nobleman in sur- 
prise. 

In eager haste Hans told of the taking of Plau Castle 
through the agency of the giant cannon which had cap- 
tured Friesack. 


109 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


'^And the brother of your master ; where is he ?” asked 
Von Holzendorf anxiously. 

“He is in a dungeon of Kalbe castle, the prisoner of 
the Archbishop of Magdeburg.” 

“His bitterest enemy,” sighed the nobleman ; “now tell 
me where you are going, and why have you come.” 

“To Neumuehl Castle, to seek my master, Herr Diet- 
rick Von Quitzow, and to warn him of danger and he 
told hurriedly of what he had heard from the horse- 
men. 

“Then we must not lose a moment in putting him in 
a more secure place; follow me Hans as quickly as 
possible. 

In the delapidated doorway of the castle, they found 
the old serving man of whom Werner asked in regard 
to the sick man left in his care. 

“He went out about half an hour ago to take a walk 
in the forest;” was the reply, “he said he could not 
stay in his bed any longer.” 

“Did he say when he would return, or which way he 
was going?” was asked in anxious impatience. 

“No, master, he said nothing about coming back, but 
I know the way he went.” 

“Then follow as quickly as possible and tell him I 
wish to see him immediately.” 

“He makes as much account of him as if he were a 
great man instead of the servant of Von Quitzow;” the 
old man grumbled as he hobbled away. “Every day, 
every day he must ride out here to Neumuehl to see 
no 


The Faithful Servant. 


him. There is a secret somewhere behind all this, and 
I believe the sickness is put on for a cover to it.” 

Hans followed the master of the castle to Von Quitz- 
ow’s room, where he took from a secret hiding place a 
suit of clothes of the kind worn by the poorest class of 
Brandenburg peasants; this Von Quitzow was to put 
on and flee from the place with his faithful servant 
Spoorman. 

They waited with agonized impatience for the coming 
of the outlaw man who had dared the risk of walking 
in the forest in the clothing he had worn the night he 
came to Neumuehl. 

‘Tt was growing twilight when they heard hurried 
footsteps and Von Quitow’s voice in a despairing tone. 

“I am betrayed; the Burgrave’s men are following 
me; and almost breathless he ran into his apartment, 
while the sound of men’s voices and the hurried tramp- 
ling of horses were heard outside. 

'‘Follow mo,” cried Von Holzendorf, “and bring the 
peasant clothes Hans ; and hurriedly the three ran down 
a back stairway under which was a trap-door which 
opened upon winding-steps. 

“Go down these steps,” he whispered; “and under 
them is a trap-door which leads to an underground walk 
which will take you out in the forest far from the 
castle. 

They obeyed, he shut the trap-door behind the fugi- 
tives, then walked placidly to the front door of the castle 
and met the horsemen; the same that Hans had met in 
the forest. 


Ill 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


'‘Who are you?” asked the leader of the party. “My 
name is Werner Von Holzendorf ; what is your business 
with me?” 

“We came here for the purpose of capturing the 
Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow. We know that he is 
here for we saw him in the forest. We followed him 
and he disappeared at some point within the walls.” 

“I can give you no information;” replied the noble- 
man quietly; “if you think he is here, you are welcome 
to search every spot. I have just arrived, as you see, 
my horse is yet at the gate, and have had no time to 
inspect the old building to see if anyone is secreted 
here.” 

“That is foolish play Sir Knight; every street boy 
knows that in defiance of the strict order of the Bur- 
grave, you are aiding and secreting the double-banned 
man; can you deny that?” 

“I am too proud to lie; yes I did shelter my friend 
because he was in need, and I do not regret that I did 
the little I could to protect the unfortunate and home- 
less man; but it was not done out of defiance to the 
Burgrave but out of pity for one I had known and 
loved.” 

“Then you refuse to tell us where he is hidden?” 

“How can I turn traitor to him?” 

“Then you must answer to the Governor-General. 
What we are here for, is to take the outcast dead or 
alive, and that we intend to do. Up, my men!” he said 


II2 


The Faithful Servant. 


turning to them, '^stir up this old nest from dungeon 
to roof, let not one spot remain unsearched.” 

His men who had been waiting at the foot of the 
castle steps, now ascended and entered the main hall 
with their leader. 

“You, Sir Knight will please unlock this door, that 
we may commence our search at the entrance.” 

“They key of that apartment is at my castle Botzow ; 
but I can send there for it. 

“We certainly will not wait for that when we have 
our battle axes with us; fall to work men and break 
down the door.” 

Werner appeared very reluctant to see this done which 
made the Burgrave’s men the more eager and blow after 
blow was hurled against the heavy oak door which at 
length yielded, and all filed in, but although they searched 
every corner of it, they found no one there, but they 
found an open door which lead them to a small hall, 
and under the stairway leading from the floor above, 
they found the trap-door, and raising it saw the steep 
narrow steps leading down to the second trap-door 
through which the fugitives had escaped into the sub- 
terranean walk. 

They lighted a torch and descended, while Von Holz- 
endorf stood at the door at the head of the steps pray- 
ing from his inmost heart that the fugitives had not 
neglected to close the trap-door after them, and regret- 
ting bitterly that he had not explained that means of 
escape to Von Quitzow in his many visits to him. 


113 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“Holy St. Leonard, thou patron saint of the fugi- 
tive and the oppressed, stand by them now and I will con- 
secrate a great beautiful wax candle in your honor he 
said to himself. 

He descended some of the steps and listened, but he 
could hear only the unintelligible mingling of the pur- 
surers voices; but presently he heard a jubilant shout 
which caused his heart to thrill with terror. 

“They have found the trap-door that leads to the 
underground walk, he said to himself, “God grant that 
the two are far on their way through it.’’ 

Hans and Von Quitzow had been favored in many 
ways. At the moment they were opening the trap-door 
which led to the walk, the pursuers were breaking down 
the locked door with their battle axes, which deadened 
the creaking of the rusty hinges; and had not finished 
when they closed it. 

They had found the path which led to the forest, but 
it was slow work to pass through it owing to the dark- 
ness, and the fallen mortar, and stones which obstructed 
their way ; and they longed for one ray of light. 

They had gone nearly half way through it when they 
saw a gleam of the torch of the pursuers. 

“They are upon us,” whispered Hans, “do you flee, 
my master and I will stand here and fight them. With 
my spear and fists I can battle with all five of them.” 

“No, Hans; replied Von Quitzow, “you go with me, 
or I die here with you. Let us keep on our way.” 


The Faithful Servant. 


“I will follow you my master, and when we come to 
a suitable place we will wait and battle with them.” 

The pursuers were now so near that the sound of 
their voices could be heard. 

“Give me your spear Hans, I am weaponless, and do 
you use your arrows when the time comes.” 

They had reached a spot through which they had to 
creep upon their hands and knees. “This is the place 
to wait for them” said Spoorman in a whisper, “and I 
have an arrow for the first man that puts his head, 
through that place.” 

One of the men more reckless than the others at- 
tempted it, and the arrow from the bow of Hans sped 
to its mark, and a cry of mortal pain proclaimed its 
effect. 

“Forward men!” cried the leader, but the men re- 
fused to obey ; they knew the strength and determination 
of Dietrich Von Quitzow in a face to face battle, even 
if they lived to get through to the place where he stood ; 
they would not risk it. 

“Their courage has fled;” whispered Von Quitzow 
“we can keep on through the path.” 

“But first we will keep them from trying again when 
we are gone said Hans;” “let us move these great 
stones to the opening, and thus close it. It will be im- 
possible for them to remove them from that side.” 

By the light of the pursuers torch, this was done, and 
then they took their way to the forest and safety. 


ns 


CHAPTER XL 

Honors ror Eri^derick Von HohenzollErn. 

It was a victorious battle that Frederick Von Hohen- 
zollern had won in his struggle against the nobility, and 
his skill and success was the admiration not only of 
Brandenburg, but of all Germany. 

He had shown that it was not alone the humble classes 
that must respect the rules of right, law, and order, but 
had shown that the rebellious noblemen had brought dis- 
aster upon themselves by defiance of these rules, and of 
the ruler. They had by their feuds and tyrannical treat- 
ment made the lives of the peasantry miserable; now 
their property was in the hands of the rightful owner and 
they were outlaws. 

As time passed on every castle and stronghold was 
again in the possession of the government, and the power 
of the nobility of Brandenburg was broken and they one 
and all took the oath of allegiance. 

After the excitement of the capture of these strong- 
holds had somewhat subsided, Frederick called together 
the spiritual and temporal representative men of Bran- 
denburg in order to consult together in regard to ways 
and means for establishing permanent peace in Branden- 
burg. 

They met at Tangermund, and he laid before them his 
plans, the first being in regard to a law that the members 
of the nobility and all others should stand as one man 

ii6 


Honors for Frederick Von Hohenzollem, 


against the enemies of the security and peace of the 
country. 

They were bound by this law to bring the abductor, 
the robber and peace-breaker to punishment, and those 
who knew of such misdeeds and refused to report them, 
or would conceal them, the same punishment would be 
given as would be inflicted upon the transgressor, it be- 
ing the duty of the governor of each city to see that the 
law was respected. 

The first person to whom punishment was meted 
under this law, was Werner Von Holzendorf, and will- 
ingly as Frederick would have been to pass his offence 
by without notice, he could not; for Werner had not 
only concealed the outlaw, but had helped him to escape. 

If peace and order were to be maintained in Branden- 
burg, a warning example must be made of the trans- 
gressor ; and Werner’s offence was so flagrant that pun- 
ishment must follow and he was deprived of his prop- 
erty. 

It was a severe punishment for the faithful friend of 
the outlaw, but he had helped make the law, and he would 
not be the first to try to break it, so gave up his prop- 
erty without a word of remonstrance. 

In less than a year Brandenburg had, under the new 
law, become the most orderly province in the whole 
German empire. Robbers and peacemakers had dis- 
appeared, and quietude and security reigned. 

During this time the Romish Church was in a turbulent 
condition, owing to three popes making claim to the 
117 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


throne of St. Peter. They were Gregory XII, of 
Rimini, in Italy; Benedict XIII, in Spain, and John 
XXIII, in Rome, who was in possession. 

The most iniquitous and depraved of the three was 
John, of Rome, who in his earlier years had been a 
pirate, and in other ways, was guilty of such immoral- 
ity as was almost beyond belief. 

Through bribery he had obtained the position of cardi- 
nal, and through it, the papal chair. 

It would seem that, as head of the church, he would 
endeavor to be a worthy shepherd of his flock, but this 
did not seem to enter his mind. Instead, his position 
gave him greater power and opportunity for indulgence 
in his shameless depravity. 

As with the popes, so with the lives of the lesser dig- 
nitaries of the church, and in those days it seemed im- 
possible to bring their corrupt deeds to the knowledge of 
the people. 

It was at John’s suggestion, that Sigismund was se- 
lected to bring unity to the church out of the prevailing 
disturbance, and disorder, and the young Kaiser took 
up the cause with zeal and earnestness. In order that 
this important affair and many others might be discussed 
and adjusted, the great powers agreed to meet in council, 
with Sigismund, at its head. 

The place selected for this meeting was the city of 
Constance, on the lake called Bodensee in southern Ger- 
many. 

The Kaiser’s hands were now full ; and he needed the 

ii8 


Honors for Frederick Von Hohenzollern. 


advice and assistance of a capable and experienced man, 
and knowing that among all the princes, the most re- 
liance could be placed upon Frederick Von Hohenzollern, 
he solicited his presence at his court in Hungary. The 
Burgrave placed the government of Brandenburg in the 
hands of his wife, Elizabeth, renewed his covenant with 
his allies, then with a stately number of noblemen, and 
his faithful shield-bearer, Arnold, he set out August 14, 
in the year 1414, to southern Germany. 

The council met in November of that year and the 
members, with Sigismund at their head, exerted them- 
selves to have the three popes resign their claims to the 
papel chair that the prevailing schism might be overcome. 

John was outwardly willing for this, but in reality 
had not the least intention of renouncing the honors and 
emoluments of popedom, and under the pressure brought 
to bear upon him, with the assistance of Duke Frederick, 
of Austria, he fled in disguise from Constance to Schaff- 
hausen, and from there to Freiburg, from whence he 
sent the declaration that he would not resign his claim 
to the papal chair. 

This incensed Sigismund, and he did not rest until 
John was arrested and imprisoned where he had five 
years’ time for reflection. 

Duke Frederick, of Austria, because of his help in the 
affair, was punished with the ban of the empire; and as 
an outlaw, was removed from the command of the army, 
and Frederick Von Hohenzollern was given the position 
of commander of the forces. 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Frederick had shown skill and circumspection in con- 
quering the enemies of Brandenburg, and had in that 
success done great service to the Kaiser and to the em- 
pire. 

In acknowledgment of these services, Sigismund re- 
solved to bestow upon him a substantial gift as well as 
some political honors. 

On April 30, in the year 1415, the Kaiser announced 
to the electoral princes of the kingdom, that he had 
ceded to the Burgrave Frederick of Nuremberg the prov- 
ince of Brandenburg as a hereditary possession. Also 
in acknowledgment of his faithful service, which he had 
freely given, and of his integrity, firmness, capability 
and many other virtues with which the Almighty God 
had so richly endowed him, he bestowed upon him the 
title of Electoral Prince of the Holy Roman empire, 
and that of Lord High Chamberlain of the empire. 

A few days later, Frederick left for his Brandenburg 
home, to return at some appointed time for the public 
celebration of his investiture. 

Two months after he left Constance, that terrible deed 
was done which brought lasting disgrace upon Sigismund 
and the council: the burning at the stake of John Huss, 
the Bohemian reformer. 

The Imperial Diet, of Bohemia, requested of Kaiser 
Sigismund a letter of safe conduct for Huss, who had 
been summoned to appear at the council to answer to the 
charge of heresy. 

Sigismund granted this willingly, and it was forward- 


120 


Honors for Frederick Von Hohenzollern. 


ed to him that it might reach him before crossing the 
borders of .Bohemia, when the letter of safe conduct 
given him by Wenceslas, king of Bohemia, and brother 
of Sigismund, would cease to be valid; and, being an 
outlaw, his life would be in constant danger. 

The letter of safe conduct read, ‘T, Sigismund, by the 
grace of God, king, to all princes, ecclesiastical, and lay, 
and to all other subjects, greeting. We recommend to 
all in general, and to each individually, the honorable 
man, John Huss — Bachelor in Theology, and Master of 
Arts — the bearer of these presents, who is journeying 
from Bohemia to the council of Constance, whom we 
have taken under our protection and safeguard and 
under the protection and safeguard of the empire, 
requesting that when he arrives among you that you 
will receive him kindly and treat him favorably, fur- 
nishing him with whatever may be necessary to promote 
his comfort and further his security, without taking any- 
thing from him or his attendants, at his entrance or de- 
parture, on any claim whatever; but to let him freely 
and securely pass, sojourn, stop and return, providing 
him, if necessary, with good passports to the honor and 
respect of his imperial majesty. 

“Given at Spires, October i8, in the year 1414.” 

John Huss reached Constance safely; but the young 
Kaiser was surrounded by the enemies of the reformer, 
and was influenced by them against him, the ecclesiastical 
members especially, declaring that as an incorrigible 
heretic, under the ban of the empire, and ex-communi- 


121 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


cated by the church, the safe conduct was void, and that 
a promise was not to be kept with a heretic except where 
matters of faith were concerned. 

They also convinced him that he could not be accused 
of having violated his promise, and letter of safe con- 
duct, for the reason that the council which is above the 
Kaiser, had not given Huss the letter of safe conduct, 
and the Kaiser had no legal authority to grant it except 
upon the approval of the council. 

Huss was arrested, and confined in prison for a time, 
then burned at the stake on July 6, in the year 1415. 

The council of Constance remained in session until 
April, 1418, and during that time a pope was elected with 
the title of Martin V. 


122 


CHAPTER XII. 

The Von Quitzows Again. 

More than two years had passed away, and Johann 
Von Quitzow was still a captive in a dungeon of the 
Kalbe Castle. In that time he had never seen a ray of 
sunlight, had never heard a word in regard to his wife 
or brother, nor a hint of what was passing in the world 
outside. 

He was sitting one morning by the oak table in his 
dungeon when the key turned in the rusty lock and the 
warden appeared. 

“Follow me to the head keeper,’’ he said, roughly. 

“What for?” asked Von Quitzow, in surprise and 
anxiety, for the fearful thought of being under the 
double ban of the empire, when any one who wished 
could take his life, was never long absent from his mind. 

“I asked no questions; all I know is that I was com- 
manded to bring you; come!” 

At the top of the narrow stone steps they were met 
by four soldiers and conducted to the keeper of the 
castle, who took up a packet from the table having upon 
it the seal of the Archbishop of Magdeburg. 

“This letter commands me to send you to Magdeburg” ; 
he said. “I will give you food and drink, then you are 
to set out under guard of these soldiers.” 

“Will you not allow me to have my hair shortened and 
my beard removed ? It has not been done for two years.” 

123 


Prince Frederick and the Datvn of the Reformation. 


“Yes, and you shall have your own clothes, and your 
spear and sword.’* 

It was a gleam of sunshine in Von Quitzow’s sad life 
when having enjoyed a good meal, he was refreshed by 
a warm bath and had donned the suit he had worn on 
the day he was captured. He girded on his sword which 
had been used in many a feud; and outwardly at least 
was again a nobleman of Brandenburg. 

He was led by the soldiers to a horse that was wait- 
ing for him, helped to mount and his feet fastened by a 
rope under the body of the horse, and a long black mantle 
thrown around him. Then the drawbridge was lowered, 
and they set out in the direction of Magdeburg which 
they reached about noon, and he was taken directly to 
the palace of Archbishop Gunther. 

He was conducted to a stately apartment, where he 
sank upon a settle, and was waiting in keen anxiety to 
see what was to befall him when a door opened and a 
pale timid lady entered, and stood for an instant gazing 
upon the sad haggard Knight as upon a stranger. 

“Almighty One, and the blessed saints! My Agnes, 
my wife! cried Von Quitzow rising and clasping her in 
his arms. 

“Oh Johann !” she moaned as her head sank upon his 
breast, “tell me all for my heart is filled with distrust and 
dread.” 

There was nothing to recount since their parting to 
lesson that dread. He passed lightly of his long and ter- 
rible imprisonment, told her of his unexpected release. 


124 


The Von Quitzows Again. 


and of his being brought to the palace by request of the 
Archbishop. 

'‘I too was brought here without knowing the object;” 
said his wife, ”since your imprisonment I have lived in 
Magdeburg, and this morning was sent for to come here. 
Now I know that it was to meet you. Oh, Johann, my 
husband, I scarcely recognized you.” 

have had two miserable years ; the suffering I have 
endured has bleached my hair and dimmed my eyes, and 
the vault-like dungeon has taken the strength from my 
limbs.” 

“Oh, Johann perhaps our time of trouble is over and 
we will yet have happiness in the world.” 

“Hope nothing, Agnes; a great burden oppresses my 
heart. Remember that I am under the double ban and 
a prisoner of my deadly enemy. It may be that he 
has brought me here to slay me. 

“Merciful Father in heaven could any one be so cruel !” 

Yes, Agnes, and should that come, I pray you to go 
to Pomerania and be under the protection of my brother, 
Dietrich ; but hark I hear footsteps ; be brave dear wife.” 

A door opened and one of the liveried servants of the 
palace came in. 

“His grace, the Archbishop wishes to see you;” he 
said. 

“Wait here, my Agnes ;” whispered Von Quitzow, then 
followed the guide to a splendidly furnished apartment 
where before a writing table sat the Archbishop who 
to greet him, but seemed turned to stone at sight 

125 


arose 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Refortnation. 


of him; he could scarcely believe that this man and 
ghastly object before him was the handsome, stately, 
vigorous nobleman that had defied him, but two years 
before. 

“I greet you, Knight Johann Von Quitzow,” he said. 

The knight glanced at the tall commanding figure with 
angry brow; he could not forget the dungeon on the 
Havel river. 

“It has been long since we met;” continued his host, 
as though not knowing how to commence the conver- 
sation. 

“More than two years, and I was treated like a murd- 
erer ;” was the response in a bitter tone. 

“I know it; but times have changed. Had I known 
what I now know, it would not have happened. So much 
as it lies in my power you shall be recompensed.” 

“In what way?” asked Von Quitzow, distrustfully. 

“Let us be seated, and I will explain ;” he answered 
pointing to a chair, and taking one opposite his guest. 

“First I will tell you that you are as free as the 
birds of the air, a new life is opened to you.” 

“Free? Whom have I to thank for my freedom; you?” 

“Yes.” 

“What moved you to such a course?” 

“Many things have tended toward it.” 

“Free to go where I wish, I, an outlaw, with the 
double ban of the empire upon me?” 

“Yes, free in all the lands that are under my rule, and 
I have a great service to ask of you, Herr Knight.” 

126 


The Von Quitsows Again. 


“Service of me, an outlaw?” “Remember this. The 
double ban has no weight or power, when one so banned 
is in the service of Gunther, Archbishop of Magdeburg.” 

“What do you require of me?” 

“Your brave army and sword against an enemy.” 

“Who is that enemy?” 

“Can you forget Knight Von Quitzow, the one who 
brought so much suffering upon you?” 

“The Franconian Burgrave?” “Yes, the Burgrave, 
Frederick Von Hohenzollern ; now Margrave of Brand- 
enburg, and Electoral Prince of the Holy Roman em- 
pire?” 

“Has he really been made Margrave, and Electoral 
Prince?” cried Johann in astonishment. 

“Yes, and Lord High Chamberlain of the empire. 
Kaiser Sigismund conferred all these honors upon him.” 

“Honors upon him, whom I have to thank for all the 
trouble that has come upon me;” cried Johann, the old 
hatred blazing in his eyes. “But by the blood of Wils- 
nach, I don’t understand you. Were you not in com- 
mand when the Burgrave made the attack upon Plau 
Castle? Did you not stand by him in all the troubles in 
Brandenburg in which he robbed us of our property, and 
trampled us in the dust? And now are you saying that 
you are his enemy?” 

“You shall hear all; only say that you will join me in 
a feud against him.” 

“Can you for one moment doubt it. I might forgive 
others being my enemies ; but the Hohenzollern, never !” 


127 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


“I thought as much, and thank you sir Knight Von 
Quitzow, and will put a helper beside you whom you 
will consider worthy of the work.” 

“My brother? Speak, your Grace; is it Dietrich?” 

“Yes; he arrived early this morning from Pomerania.” 

The Archbishop nodded to his valet, who left the room ; 
a firm manly tread was heard in the corridor, and Diet- 
rich, ruddy and vigorous, entered and clasped his tremb- 
ling brother in his strong arms. 

“Now I will explain my reason for calling you to- 
gether,” said the Archbishop, signing to the brothers to 
be seated. “As you know, I was in covenant with the 
Hohenzollern but we are now enemies. Against my ex- 
pressed will and request, he has liberated from prison 
the Knights Cans Von Putlitz and Wichard Von Rochow, 
who are my enemies. At such outrageous treatment I, 
in anger, said some slanderous things of Von Putlitz 
which was reported to him. A quarrel ensued which was 
followed by a challenge of war from Von Putlitz, and he 
entered into a covenant with Balthazer Von Wenden to 
surround my beautiful Sandow, and I received the fright- 
ful news that it was in the hands of the enemy. I 
galhered all the soldiers I could summon, and rushed to 
protect Sandow, but was repulsed, and forced to retreat, 
and now my beautiful Sandow is a heap of ashes, and 
no one is to blame but the Hohenzollern. He released 
my enemies and would not raise a finger to protect 
me against them. Now I will have my revenge by bring- 
ing war upon his possessions. For this I will need brave 
128 


The Von Quitzows Again. 


and experienced leaders, and you are the men. If you 
will join me in a feud against your old enemy and op- 
pressor you will not find me ungrateful.” 

‘We thank you for your confidence in us said Diet- 
rich, “what is to be our share of profit?” 

“Fair compensation, and a large share of the spoils.” 

“We accept ;” said the brothers in a breath, “and thank 
you.” 

“No word of thanks;” answered Gunther, “your will- 
ingness to aid me is the best thanks. You can gather 
your companies as you wish, and will have plenty of 
followers. The name of Von Quitzow is loved by friends 
and feared by enemies.” 

The brothers returned to the reception room where a 
new surprise was prepared for Dietrich, for as they en- 
tered, Agnes came in holding by the hand a lovely lady ; 
no other than Elizabeth — the wife of Dietrich, followed 
by their two sons, Dietrich and little Johann. 

“My loved wife;” cried the happy husband clasping 
her in his arms while tears of joy filled his eyes; and 
then he turned to greet his boys. “How did you know I 
would be here?” he asked. 

“The Archbishop sent a messenger to Castle Teupitz 
to invite me to the palace to meet a friend. 

It was a joyous meeting after the long separation, and 
questions and answers were following in quick succes- 
sion, when the door opened gently and Hans Spoorman 
looked in. 

“Come in Hans; come in you are always welcome;” 


129 


Prince Frederick and the Datm of the Reformation. 


cried Dietrich, and all shook hands with the old man, 
who carried himself as erect as ever although he had 
passed through some hard battles. 

“We had some hard times during our flight to Pom- 
erania old man;” said Dietrich clapping his hand upon 
the shoulder of Hans ; “but after the rain comes the sun- 
shine. We have at this time a beautiful feud on hand. 
Plans, and whom do you suppose it is against ; it is that 
arch-fiend, Frederick Von Hohenzollern ; now can we 
reckon upon your help?” 

“Gladly in any feud; but doubly so that it is against 
the Burgrave.” 

“Now we will all go to my house;” said Agnes cheer- 
fully, there we can chat to our heart’s content.” 

There it was decided that Dietrich and Johann should 
raise a large army which there would be no difficulty in 
collecting, as a bounty and booty should be promised to 
each soldier who would join them. The brothers were 
not mistaken; many were eager to enlist and early in 
September an attack was made upon the city of Brand- 
enburg. All in the province knew that the fierce Von 
Quitzows were again at liberty, and there was lamenta- 
tion in all circles, especially among the peasantry, they 
being the greatest sufferers. 

The battles were fought with savage ferocity never 
before equalled; the people were murdered; robbed, 
many cities and villages were reduced to ashes, and their 
inhabitants left poor and homeless. 

As soon as Frederick Von Hohenzollern heard that 


130 


The Von Quitzows Again. 


the Archbishop and the Von Quitzows had entered into 
a covenant, he hurried to enter into an alliance with the 
Elector Rudolph of Saxony. He had also the faithful 
assistance of Cans Von Putlitz, and Wichard Von 
Rochow, who had deeply repented of their treatment of 
their ruler, and knowing this he had liberated them; but 
with all this help, he was weaker than the enemy, and 
the war raged on, carrying with it devastation and misery. 

The winter of 1417 was one of unprecedented sev- 
erity in Brandenburg, and during the early part or it 
Frederick was summoned to the Council of Constance 
for the public celebration of his installation as Margrave 
of Brandenburg and Electoral Prince of the Holy Roman 
empire. 

Accompanied by a retinue of noblemen, and his faith- 
ful shield bearer, he set out on his southern journey, the 
early part of it being filled with discomfort, and not with- 
out danger. The weather was intensely cold, the snow in 
many places so deep that the horses could with difficulty 
force their way throught it. They traversed dense woods 
infested with wild animals, halted at small inns where 
they could obtain only poor food, and hard beds, but the 
best that could be had in those early times in little trav- 
eled, secluded parts of the country. 

It was the middle of January when they arrived at 
Constance, and Kaiser Sigismund did not arrive until 
the week following from his Capital City, in Hungary. 

There was great rejoicing when he and his retinue 
arrived; bells in all the towers rang jubilantly, and can- 
131 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


nons thundered in greeting. The city fathers had pro- 
vided a splendid canopy which was held by four horse- 
men over the head of his majesty, and in the lead, and 
following, were the richly robed spiritual and secular 
Electoral Princes; among them the Margrave Frederick 
of Brandenburg. 

As the brillant procession reached the cathedral, they 
dismounted and entered, and the Kaiser knelt in Thanks- 
giving to Almighty God for his protection during the 
long and dangerous journey, after which service was held 
by one of the archbishops. 

Constance during the long holding of the Council was 
a stirring place. Long rows of booths were in all the 
main streets, and merchants from all lands displayed 
their wares of every description. The thoroughfares 
swarmed with horsemen and footmen; cardinals in red 
barets, knights with plumes, archbishops and buffoons, 
canons of the church and bear-trainers, abbots, and pup- 
pet-players, monks and servants, councilmen and beggars, 
ragged Jews, and richly robed ladies. 

On April i8, in the year 1417, the ceremony of investi- 
ture, or public bestowing of the Providence of Branden- 
burg upon Frederick Von Hohenzollern was celebrated. 
Princes of the German provinces knights and other noble- 
men gathered in front of the residence of the Margrave 
Frederick, Wichard Von Rochow bearing the banner of 
Brandenburg, and a knight of Franconia bearing the ban- 
ner of Franconia with the coat of arms of the Hohen- 
zollern. 


132 


The Von Quitzows Again. 


Frederick mounted his horse and Wichard and the 
knight took place on either side of him and the cortege 
took its way to a stately public building. A flight of 
steps richly carpeted led to a great balcony its walls cov- 
ered with velvet and rich embroidery. 

In the centre of it was a throne richly decorated and 
over it a canopy of cloth of gold. At one corner of this 
gallery was stationed Sigismund’s trumpeter, and on the 
opposite corner the trumpeter of Margrave Frederick, 
and when the procession came in sight they blew a greet- 
ing of welcome and rejoicing. 

At that moment Sigismund stepped from the doorway 
of the building, and took his place upon the throne; the 
crown was placed upon his head and the sceptre in his 
hand. Three cardinals and three archbishops took their 
places on either side of the throne, and back of it stood 
the Lord High Chancellor of the kingdom bearing a 
document with two seals. 

Frederick, with his followers halted in front of the 
building dismounted, and with his Franconian and Brand- 
enburg attendants followed by the Electoral Prince of 
the Palatinate bearing the golden imperial globe of the 
empire, and the Electoral Prince Rudolph of Saxony 
bearing the sword of the kingdom. 

Frederick bowed down to the Kaiser and in an eloqu- 
ent speech thanked him for the honor conferred by mak- 
ing him Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and Lord 
High Chamberlain of the empire. 

Sigismund accepted his thanks graciously, and the 

153 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


Lord High Chancellor of the empire opened the docu- 
ment and read to the assemblage. 

“We, Sigismund by the grace of God, Roman emperor, 
recognize and proclaim to all, and to each that see or 
read it: that we with well considered inclination, and 
with the intelligent advice of the Electoral Princes of the 
empire have selected Frederick Burgrave of Nurem- 
burg, as Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and as Lord 
High Chamberlain of the empire, knowing him to be 
in all things just, firm, upright, honorable, faithful and 
discreet, and also confer upon him in the name of the 
Holy Trinity and in the best form, and to belong to him 
in fee, the aforesaid Province of Brandenburg for him 
and his descendants. 

Given at Constance April i8, in the year 1417.’’ 

The document was read amid perfect silence ; this 
was the natal hour of Prussia’s greatness ; and later, that 
of Germany. 

It could be seen by all present that Sigismund felt the 
importance of the moment, for there was suppressed 
emotion in voice and manner as he said — “Electoral 
Prince of the Holy Roman empire, will you confirm your 
acceptance of the gift of Brandenburg by oath?” 

“I will;” was the reply. 

The Lord High Chancellor of the empire then read 
the oath to Frederick, who with his hand upon the Scrip- 
tures repeated it after him word by word; after which 
Sigismund took from the hand of Wichard Von Rochow 
the Brandenburg banner and placed it in the hand of 


134 


The Von Quitzows Again. 


Frederick who held it for a moment and then returned 
it to Von Rochow. 

In the same manner he received the Franconian ban- 
ner from the kaiser, and next the golden imperial globe 
of the empire. Then the Electoral Prince of Saxony 
gave the sword of the empire into the hand of Sigis-- 
miind, who held it by the hilt, and passed it to Frederick 
who grasped it by the blade, while the trumpet blew a 
peel of triumph. 

The ceremony was ended, and Frederick in well chosen 
words expressed his wish to do credit to the honors con- 
ferred upon him by the kaiser and the Electoral Princes. 

That evening Frederick gave a banquet in honor of 
Sigismund and the princes, which was an enjoyable end- 
ing to that memorable day. 

During the early part of his sojourn in Constance he 
informed Sigismund of the feud which the Archbishop 
of Magdeburg and the Von Quitzows had waged against 
him which had proved so disastrous to the peace and 
prosperity of Brandenburg, and when he set out for the 
north he bore with him a command from the kaiser 
which bore good fruit. 


135 


CHAPTER XIII. 

Many Changes. 

During Frederick’s absence, the war had gone on; the 
Von Quitzows were fully employed in congenial work 
for they loved the excitement of war, and hated the quiet 
reign of peace. 

But Dietrich had troubles which robbed him of much 
of the pleasure he would have taken in it. His health 
was broken, he had grown bowed as if with age and 
was pale and haggard. He had gotten a home for his 
wife and son Johann in Magdeburg; but the health of 
Elizabeth gave him much anxiety ; she was steadily 
growing more nervous and feeble. 

About the middle of May 1417, he with his soldiers 
had attacked Misnia, the Archbishop of Magdeburg being 
in feud with that place; and it was with great surprise 
that he received a messa.ge to come directly to the Arch- 
bishop’s palace in Magdeburg. 

He was greatly needed at Misnia but the command 
must be obeyed and accompanied by Hans Spoorman he 
vSet out. 

When he reached Magdeburg he longed to go first to 
his own home, but could not; so sent Hans to tell the 
Lady Elizabeth of his arrival then went directly to the 
palace. 

Just as he swung himself from his horse in the court 
yard another horseman rode in. It was his brother, 
136 


Many Changes. 


Johann who had also been called from his work of de- 
vastation; and they were ushered into the apartment of 
the Archbishop. 

“I thank you heartily my noble knights/’ he said in his 
usual bland tone, “for your prompt response to my re- 
quest, and I congratulate you that the good results of the 
feuds have been brought about through your bravery and 
skill.” 

“We have but done our duty your Grace;” responded 
Dietrich, whose gaze rested upon the face of the Arch- 
bishop with surprise mingled with expectation. 

“You have done your whole duty, and it rends my 
heart that I cannot reward you as you deserve. God 
knows that I would do so, if I could.” 

“We ask no more for our services than that agreed 
upon in the covenant between us;” remarked Johann, 
and the countenance of each brother grew dark and an- 
xious. 

“You are right Herr Knight and I would keep my part 
of the compact with joy and grant more than I pro- 
mised; and yet it is my fate to appear ungrateful and 
unfaithful.” 

“Tell us what you mean, and do not keep us in sus- 
pense;” interrupted Dietrich impatiently. 

“You are right; you should know without delay, and 
yet it grieves me inexpressibly to be forced to tell you 
that you must leave my service immediately.” 

“Forced!” exclaimed Johann, “who has the power to 
force the Archbishop of Magdeburg?” 


137 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“Who indeed, except our enemy Frederick Von Hohen- 
zollern.” 

“How can that be? Has not your Grace enough ad- 
vantages over him to cause him to submit to you, instead 
of you submitting to him?” 

“You rend my heart with such words; but I can do no 
other. The Margrave Frederick while in Constance, 
complained to Sigismund against me because of the 
feud in which we are engaged and asked the kaiser’s in- 
terference. The kaiser sent an order to me to come 
directly to Constance to consult with him in regard to 
establishing peace. I did not go, but could not forfeit 
his good will by entirely ignoring his demand, so sent an 
ambassador whom I empowered to act in my stead. A 
contract was made to be in force on June 19th, in which 
there is to be a complete cessation of hostilities. But 
this is not all ; I am expressly commanded to see that no 
person in the lands I rule over is to harbor, conceal, help 
or advise any one against the Margrave of Brandenburg, 
against his country, or his people.” 

“And have you agreed to this?” 

“Was there any other course open to me. Dare I dis- 
obey our sovereign’s commands?” 

“In accordance with this are we not to be banished 
from your lands? Are we not again outlaws, again un- 
der the double ban of the empire?” asked Dietrich, pale, 
and trembling with anxiety. “God pity me that I must 
answer in the affirmative to both questions. But we will 
not part in anger, but good fellowship; neither will I 
138 


Many Changes. 


seek to know the place of your abode, providing it is not 
here, in my chief city of Magdeburg. Moreover I will 
always remember your faithful service, and that you 
may have a souvenir of my kind interest in you, I pre- 
sent you with these ornaments and he took two heavy 
gold chains in his hand and placed one around the neck 
of each of the brothers. 

“Now, Herr Dietrich and Herr Johann, I bid you fare- 
well he added, as he resumed the seat he had quitted 
to take the ornaments in hand ; and turning to his table 
he took up his work where he had left off. 

Neither brother made reply, but with a slight obeis- 
ance they left the apartment, firmly convinced that the 
Archbishop could have done better by them had he so 
willed. 

“This is the reward for our service to you, you vile 
hypocrite;” said Dietrich shaking his clinched fist at the 
closed door of the apartment they had just left; and 
trembling with rage he threw the chain on the marble 
floor of the anti-room, and trampled upon it; Johann fol- 
lowing his example. 

“Now we are again outlaws and homeless;” he said, 
with suppressed tremor in his voice. 

“And can thank Burgrave Frederick for it, and all 
other evil that has befallen us;” responded Dietrich, 
“Where are we to go ; we have not one friend or helper, 
and dare not remain in Magdeburg.” 

“No, not for one day lest it reaches the ear of the 
Archbishop ;” whispered his brother ; “he would be glad 


139 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


to send me back to the dungeon of Kalbe. Oh this day 
is the darkest that we have ever known. But listen ; what 
is to hinder us from going to Mecklenburg?” 

“My poor wife, Johann; Elizabeth is far from well.” 

“Nor are you strong as you once were Dietrich. Why 
not take Elizabeth and the children and go to our sister 
in Harbke?” 

“Harbke is in the Magdeburg lands.” 

“I know it; but remember the Archbishop said that 
he would not trouble us if we did not remain in Magde- 
burg. At our sister’s house you would be in perfect secu- 
rity.” 

“But what could I do there?” 

“Rest. Quietude and perfect rest is what you need to 
restore you to health. Will you go?” 

“Yes if Elizabeth is able to take the journey. I know 
of no other place that I can go.” 

“We must both leave Magdeburg before it becomes 
known that we are no longer in the service of the Arch- 
bishop.” 

“Never to look upon this treacherous place again. All 
my hopes are blasted. I wish I could take my wife and 
children to some lonely cabin in the great forest, away 
from all the world.” 

The brothers descended the steps, mounted their horses, 
and each took his way to his own home. 

Hans Spoorman met Dietrich at the door looking pale 
and anxious. 

“Dear master,” he said taking his hand and leading 


140 


Many Changes. 


him to a chair, ‘'rest here a moment I have a word to 
say to you. Speak low, for a very sick person is in the 
next room.” 

“Is it Elizabeth?” asked Dietrich holding his breath 
for the answer. 

Hans did not reply in words, and the knight laid his 
hand upon his shoulder. 

“Tell me the truth Hans, is she dead?” he asked with 
pallid lips. 

“No master, believe me; not dead, but — ” 

“But what?” 

“The lady Elizabeth is dying; oh that I should live to 
tell you this!” 

The knight arose, but was compelled to lean against 
the wall for support. How insignificant seemed the re- 
nunciation of him by Archbishop Gunther in comparison 
to this blow ! 

He recovered composure and went to the bedside of 
his wife. Scarcely a breath gave token that she lived; 
the beautiful, pensive eyes were closed as if in death, 
and upon the marble like features rested a smile; while 
her wan, delicate hands were folded in prayer, a crucifix 
between them. Through the open door of the adjoining 
room, her sons, and Agnes, wife of Johann could be seen, 
weeping and praying for the departing soul. 

Dietrich sank upon his knees and hid his face in the 
pillow upon which her head rested; scarcely able to re- 
strain his grief. 

Her thoughts seemed far away from earth and its trials. 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


and she whispered of green fields and fragrant flowers, 
and of beautiful scenes which pleased and cheered. 

Then a spasm of terror passed over the wan face, and 
she whispered excitedy, ^‘Oh, Dietrich the terrible can- 
non! that awful crash! See Dietrich the walls are fall- 
ing; they will kill you; flee! flee!” 

The heart of the listener throbbed with such pain that 
it robbed him of strength ; but no tears came to his relief. 
He took her hand in his and pressed his lips upon it 
while he murmerd words of comfort. 

“Dietrich’ my husband! my beloved! she whispered 
joyously, and tried to rise, but he gently restrained her; 
“oh God — is — ^good — so good to allow us to meet again.” 

“Oh, my wife, my Elizabeth!” he could say no more, 
his tears were falling upon their clasped hands. 

“No — no — my husband — don’t weep — only — meet me 
— in heaven. Thorns are all along life’s pathway ; — meet 
me — where all is — peace — and — happiness. Come — Diet- 
rich^ — come !” 

These were her last words. Life’s trials and suffer- 
ings were over and she was at rest. 

Dietrich shed no tears; he stood like one turned to 
stone, gazing upon the still form. 

“Poor father!” said his eldest son, putting his arm 
about the stricken man. 

“Take comfort brother; she is safe with her Saviour 
in heaven ;” wept Agnes, but Dietrich took no heed, nor 
of Hans Spoorman who took his hand and pressed his 
lips upon it while tears ran down upon his gray beard. 


142 


Many Changes. 


At that moment Johann came in, he had found that 
his Agnes was absent from home, and surmising the need 
of her in the home of Elizabeth he hurried there. 

“Poor brother!” he said, “come away;” and he led him 
gently from the room. 

For the two days preceding the funeral Dietrich was 
apparently as oblivious of what was passing around him 
as was the still form of the lovely, gentle being who had 
shared his joys and sorrows. 

Dumbly he followed to the cathedral and from thence 
to the burial place ; heeding no word of comfort from the 
priest; and when the beloved form was lowered into its 
last resting place, he sank senseless upon the ground. 

A severe fever followed, and day and night Uans 
Spoorman was by his sick bed, and Johann Von Quitzow 
was, in secret, his helper. 

He knew* how imperative was the need that they should 
leave the vicinity of the faithless Archbishop, and the 
moment that Dietrich was able to travel, they set out ac- 
companied by Hans Spoorman. 

Like one in a troubled dream he had parted from his 
sons who were to remain in Magdeburg. His love for 
them was deep and strong, but his grief had overpowered 
any expression of it. 

A short distance beyond the city they halted. “Here 
we part Dietrich,” said Johann, trying in vain to conceal 
his emotion, “you to go to our sister at Harbke, and I to 
Mecklenburg to try to better my fortunes ; oh, brother it 
grieves me to leave you.” 


143 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“It is our last parting Johann. ’’ 

Do not despond, brother, time heals not only the 
wounds of the body but of the spirit; farewell, brother.” 

“Farewell!” they clasped hands and soon disappeared 
from each other’s view. 

It was but a few weeks after that parting when Hans 
Spoorman was walking from Harbke through the heart 
of a dense forest, carrying a basket well filled with sub- 
stantial food, beside choice dainties to tempt the appetite 
of an invalid. 

Hans had aged rapidly and his footsteps had lost the 
vigor which once characterized them. 

After a time he reached a collier’s cabin, and upon the 
bench in front of it sat Ehetrich Von Quitzow in the garb 
of a forester and peasant of the humblest class. 

His head was sunk upon his breast, his once command- 
ing form was bowed, his once handsome face pallid and 
care-worn, and his once strong and robust limbs emaci- 
ated ; he was but a shadow of the once wealthy and 
powerful nobleman — Dietrich Von Quitzow. 

He appeared to be sleeping but at the sound of ap- 
proaching steps he looked up, and a gleam of recognition 
came into his sad and sunken eyes. 

“Poor master;” said Hans, “I should not have left you 
alone, so long, but your sister had so much to say that I 
am to tell you, that I staid longer in Harbke than I in- 
tended. 

“I did not feel alone, Hans, I thought Elizabeth w'as 
with me, and it comforted me.” - 


144 


Many Changes. 


But you should not stay in the wilderness, master, you 
need more help than I can give you/’ 

“Let me stay with you Hans, I wish to see no other 
face than yours.” 

“But your sister prays you to come back to her home, 
and weeps bitterly that you refuse her help. She was 
rejoiced to have you there the few weeks you were will- 
ing to stay, and in the noble lady’s beautiful home you 
would have all the comforts to which you were once ac- 
customed.” 

“I am a burden to myself Hans, and I will not be a 
burden to others. Why should I embitter her life and the 
lives of her children with my sighs and my tears? It is 
only in the solitude of this forest, and with you, that I 
am willing to endure life. I hate the world, let me stay 
here with you, I pray you Hans.” 

“You shall stay my loved master, come let me help you 
to bed, it is through rest that you will get back your 
strength.” 

My strength Hans; that is buried under the walls of 
Lriesack, Ah, I was once a giant in strength, now a cow- 
ardly beggar could lay me in the dust ; yes, Hans lead me 
to my bed, I feel weak and faint ; now leave me to my 
thoughts, I will call you if I need you;” and he sank 
down upon the bed of dried moss in one corner of the 
cabin. 

“No master, I will not leave you until I have given you 
this letter from your brother, the Knight Johann; your 
sister sent it to you.” 

I4S 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


‘‘From Johann! cried Dietrich eagerly, and with new 
life in his voice, “give it to me quickly.” 

His eyes flew over the lines then he threw the missive 
to the floor in anger. “He is intending to make his peace 
with the Hohenzollern, and wishes me to join him in it, 
adding — ‘oh that my only and loved brother Dietrich 
would do this wise thing.’ He says that he has come to 
this resolve, not that he wishes favors of the Margrave, 
but that he sees now that Frederick was, and is, worthy 
of all honor and respect as a noble, kind and just ruler. 
He adds that he can no longer conceal his real opinion 
and feelings in regard to him, and begs me to join him in 
entreating his pardon for our offences against him.” 

“Will you do this, my master ?” asked Hans with dark- 
ening brow. 

“Never ! shall I ask pardon of the man who has robbed 
me of honor, property, and all else that I hold dear ? No ! 
I will wear no one’s yoke, though it be golden. Free I 
have been and free I will die. When you go to Harbke 
tell my sister to write this to Johann.” 

The sick man sank back upon his bed, he had exerted 
himself beyond his strength, and Hans remained beside 
him all the hours of the night, and at daylight Dietrich 
spoke in a weak tone. 

“I believe I am about to go Hans, only one more 
service I ask of you, I am not willing to die without the 
Holy sacrament, bring a priest Hans to smooth the dark 
way for me. Hurry Hans.” Filled with grief Hans hur- 
ried away, and met the priest not far from his home on his 
146 


Many Changes. 


way to see a sick parishioner who had sent for him in 
urgent haste. He must first go there and told Hans to 
wait for him at a wayside inn, as he could not find his 
way to the cabin alone. 

That he might catch the first glimpse of the priest, 
Hans stood amid a thicket of bushes at the side of the 
inn, and had been there but a few minutes when two men 
came from the direction of Harbke and entered the public 
house. 

“Can you tell us ;” asked one of them to the innkeeper 
how to find our way through the forest to a collier’s 
cabin where lives an old huntsman and forester ?” 

“Yes, I can direct you, certainly,” and he gave the 
exact direction which was to take a straight path through 
the forest that would lead to the coal-burner’s cabin.” 

“Of course you are curious to know what is taking us 
there ; well you can’t hinder us, so I will tell you that the 
Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow is again an outlaw, is 
under the double ban of the empire, and the same price 
is on his head as before he was in the service of the Arch- 
bishop of Magdeburg. We are intending to win this, by 
capturing him.” 

“You may safely try that with anyone else, but not 
Von Quitzow.” 

“Why not? the lion has lost his teeth and claws; so 
we have heard.” 

“But Hans Spoorman has not, and Von Quitzow is 
hiding with him ; he is an old hunter and has the strength 
of a giant.” 


147 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


'‘We will try it;” and saying this the men left; and 
Hans Spoorman, his heart beating with pain and dread 
for Von Quitzow’s danger, hurried away without waiting 
for the priest. He took the shortest way through the 
forest, paying no heed to the thorns and briars which 
wounded his flesh and tore his poor garments, but ran on, 
reached the cabin, ran in and bolted the door. 

He hesitated in regard to telling Von Quitzow, then 
considered it wiser that he might not to be too much 
agitated when the men came. 

“Give me my sword ;” was the instant request, the mo- 
ment he was told. 

“No my master, leave it all to me, I can fight them 
single handed.” 

“My sword ! I command you Hans Spoorman to give 
me my sword.” 

The forester put the hilt in his hand, but instead of 
grasping it, he fell back, and his eyes closed. 

The two ruffians reached the frail door, found it bolted, 
and leaning against it, it fell in at the feet of Hans, who 
with sword in hand and eyes gleaming as in his old fight- 
ing days, rushed forward, whereupon one of the intruders 
struck him with a club and felled him to the floor. 

At this sight. Von Quitzow arose, and grasped his 
sword, but fell back motionless upon his bed. No earthly 
tribunal had power over him any more ; he stood before 
the judge of all the world. 

The men ran from the presence of death and had 
scarcely disappeared when the priest stepped in. 

148 


Many Changes. 


One glance about him was sufficient for him to grasp 
the situation, for the innkeeper, while directing him the 
way, told him of the two men and their intentions. 

He sank upon his knees by the bedside, and prayed long 
and earnestly for the soul of the departed ; then he arose 
and went to Hans Spoorman whom he had thought also 
beyond human help, but to his relief he found that he 
still lived. 

Then the physician of souls became the physician of 
the body; he bathed and bound up the bleeding wounds, 
then returned as quickly as possible to Harbke to send 
helpers to the cabin. 

Quietly the body of Knight Dietrich Von Quitzow was 
placed in the grave in the burying ground belonging to 
the monastery of Marienborn ; no one being present but 
his sister and his eldest son. 

The curse of the double ban of the empire was yet 
resting upon him, and no cross marked the lowly spot 
where after “Life’s fitful fever,” he had found rest. 


149 


CHAPTER XIV. 

An Enkmy Turne:d Friend. 

Nearly three years had passed since the death of Diet- 
rich Von Quitzow and the departure of his brother, 
Johann for Mecklenburg, and while the province of 
Brandenburg was in a state of comparative tranquility 
Frederick’s troubles with the Pomeranians had never 
wholly ceased. They still kept in their hands the greater 
part of Uckermark in the north, although by right it 
belonged to Brandenburg. 

At the Council of Constance the right had been judi- 
cially settled ; a ruling which increased the enmity of the 
Dukes of Pomerania against Frederick Von Hohen,- 
zollern. 

They were determined not to yield it peaceably to its 
rightful sovereign, and he decided to wrest it from them 
by force of arms. 

He appointed the city of Eberswalde as the place of as- 
sembling his troops, and from every direction his sub- 
jects flocked eagerly to his standard, for in the course of 
years they had realized that all he did was for their ad- 
vantage and the good of Brandenburg. 

Among his many faithful friends and follower, was 
Cans Von Putlitz, an upright, honorable man, and a 
brave and efficient general, and Frederick valued his serv- 
ices and had warm appreciation of his many virtues. 

Late in the evening on March 20th, the Margrave ac- 


150 


An Bnemy Turned Friend. 


companied by his generals, his shield-bearer Arnold — 
and a great company of horsemen, and foot soldiers, 
rode into Eberswalde where his soldiers had gathered 
from all points and his cannons and ammunition wagons 
filled the market-place. 

He took up his abode in the castle hoping that by re- 
maining several days, the Pomeranian dukes would see 
the advisability of giving peaceable possession of Ucker- 
mark. 

This hope not being realized he gave orders for the 
troops to march forward and take Angermund. 

This city was fully fortified, had a strong castle and 
was in command of the Pomeranian general — ^Johann 
Von Briesen. 

Admission through the gates being refused, Frederick 
gave orders to take the city by storm, and the cannons 
were placed in front of the walls. But the citizens who 
had so much respect for Frederick as for their Dukes — 
Casimer and Otto, opened the gates; the Brandenburg 
troops rushed in, surrounding the castle and shutting in 
the commander, and all who had fled there. General 
Johann Von Briesen had sent to the Duke of Stettin for 
help, who lost no time in sending troops on quick march, 
and knowing this Frederick carried out his plans with 
speed. 

He gave orders that a great bulwark be erected on the 
market-place, the material used being the ammunition 
wagons; and within it he placed cannons which would 
send their balls into the streets ; the soldiers to be prompt 

151 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


in reaching their posts at the first alarm, and the battle 
cry to be — “Brandenburg.” 

All being in readiness, Arnold took time to visit Wil- 
kin Wolffen and his daughter Margaret, who had come 
to Tangermund — Wilkin’s native place — the day after 
Castle Plan had been taken by Frederick. He had a 
double pleasure in finding them, for he had heard that 
his uncle — Hans Spoorman — had followed them the day 
after the burial of Dietrich Von Quitzow, and was living 
in a cabin in the forest near the city. 

Arnold made many inquiries before finding Wilkin’s, 
and had come in sight of the house when he heard the 
steady tramp of men, and the clanking of weapons. 

He lay down and put his ear to the ground; yes, he 
was not mistaken; troops were coming and with fleet 
footsteps Arnold ran to the camp and gave the alarm. 

Soon the enemy was before Angermund, but all of 
Frederick’s men were at their posts, and he and Arnold 
were near the bulwark. 

Soon they heard the war-cry “Stettin,” the trumpets 
sounded weapons clashed; then came the word “Brand- 
enburg” in Frederick’s clear tones, and his men rushed 
upon the foe. 

The cannons thundered, and no ball went astray amid 
the thick ranks of the Pomeranians; they were mown 
down like a field of grain before a reaper. 

In the thickest of the battle was Frederick, and close 
by him his faithful body-guard — Arnold, when from a 
side street rushed a company of Pomeranians who sur- 


152 


An Enemy Turned Friend. 


rounded them determined to kill them or take them pris- 
oners. 

Frederick was in the same danger as when at Krem- 
mer dam but his deliverer was not his shield-bearer ; for 
that was prevented by a Pomeranian who struck Arnold’s 
helmet with a club, unseating him from his horse and as 
he fell, another soldier cut at him- with his sword, separa- 
ting two fingers from his right hand. 

The Margrave appeared lost; when at that moment 
came the cry “Brandenburg” from a deep-toned voice; 
and a knight of commanding presence rode in among the 
struggling Pomeranians, the sword swung by his power- 
ful arm leveling them in the dust, and Frederick was 
saved. 

The knight, wearing a black band around his helmet 
was about to ride away but Frederick grasped hjs hand. 

“No you must not leave me until I know who I am 
to thank for my deliverance;” he said, for the knight’s 
visor was closed and he could not see his face. 

“I am one who repents; I pray your Grace to be con- 
tent with this reply; at least at this time.” 

“I will respect your wishes,” replied the Margrave, 
“but hope you will in the near future give me the oppor- 
tunity to thank you for my freedom; perhaps my life.” 

“I can only repeat that I am one who rues the past, as 
I give token by the band upon my helmet. Farewell, 
noble Prince ;” and he rode away. 

Arnold was in the meantime missing and could not 
be found, and Frederick’s anxiety was past expressing. 


153 


Prince Frederick and the Dazm of the Reformation. 


Several had seen him fall from his horse, but he could 
not be found among the dead and wounded and Fred- 
erick was forced with a heavy heart to conclude that he 
had been taken prisoner by the Pomeranians; for the 
battle was over and was a decisive victory for Frederick, 
the enemy had fled. 

The next day the Margrave called his soldiers to the 
market-place, and praised and thanked them for their 
bravery. Several of the younger ones of noble families 
Were rewarded by being created knights in the presence 
of the assembled army. 

The young offlcers placed themselves in line, and the 
Margrave touched each forehead with his left hand, then 
took his sword in his right hand and lightly struck the 
shoulder saying ‘Tn God’s name then struck the second 
time saying, “and the holy St. Michael’s,” and the third 
time saying, “and the holy George’s, make I thee a knight. 
Be valiant and faithful.” 

After the ceremony was ended, the Margrave cast his 
eyes over the horsemen until they rested upon one stately 
form whose helmet was wound by a crape band, and he 
sent one of his aids to ask him tO' advance. 

“I greet you Sir Knight,” said Frederick, “and now 
that battle and strife are over, I ask you to tell me your 
name.” 

The stranger made no reply except by throwing back 
his visor and disclosing his face. 

“Johann von Quitzow !” exclaimed Frederick in aston- 
ishment. 


154 


An Bnemy Turned Friend. 


“Yes, your Grace,” replied the knight flinging himself 
from his horse and bowing low before his ruler, “I re- 
pent bitterly of my former resistance against your right- 
ful authority and ask you tq forgive the past.” 

“It is difficult for me to believe you in earnest Herr 
Knight;” said Frederick, although his face lighted with 
surprise and pleasure. 

“I freely raised my hand to your defence yesterday;” 
pleaded Johann “your enemies were my enemies. My 
brother Dietrich and I opposed you. He is dead, but I 
yet live and with God’s help will do what I can to atone. 
Gracious Electoral Prince, if you will return good for 
evil, reach me the hand of forgiveness and thrust me not 
from you.” 

“Far be it from me to be so ungrateful;” replied Fred- 
erick deeply moved; “here is my hand Knight Johann 
Von Quitzow, you and your brother made much care and 
sorrow for me, but in this hour all is forgiven.” 

The knight thanked him, in grateful tones, and left 
him, and then Frederick’s thought returned to Arnold. 

The young shield-bearer had not been killed, nor had 
he been taken prisoner. At the time the enemy sur- 
rounded Frederick, they were in a spot on the street 
directly opposite the windows of the Woffen home, and 
looking out upon the scene was Hans Spoorman and 
Margaret, whose father had died several weeks before, 
and Hans had left his cabin home to be a protector and 
helper to the only child of his loved friend, until other 
arrangements could be made for her. 

155 


Prince Prederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


"‘Oh, that I could be out there helping the Pomeran- 
ians,” exclaimed Hans. 

“I am sorry to hear you say that when your loved 
nephew may be in this terrible battle;” responded Mar- 
garet. ‘‘Oh, see there is a Brandenburg general; the 
Pomeranians have surrounded him and his shield-bearer 
is trying to protect him.” 

“It is the Burgrave!” cried Hans; “they will kill him, 
or take him prisoner.” 

“If he is the Burgrave, his shield-bearer is Arnold; oh 
see ! some one has struck the helmet from his head ! He 
has fallen from his horse ! O Merciful Father save him 
from being trampled to death under the hoofs of the 
horses !” 

“By the blood of Wilsnach, it is Arnold!” cried Hans 
as he caught a glimpse of the golden-brown hair of his 
nephew ; and he rushed out followed by Margaret. 

The combatants had moved a little distance from the 
spot where Arnold lay unconscious ; and with main 
strength Hans and Margaret drew him from the danger- 
ous place and into the Wolffen dwelling where they used 
the simple remedies on hand to revive him; for to their 
great joy they saw that he yet lived although his clothing 
was covered with blood from the wounded hand. 

Hans showed no sign of grief for the maiming of his 
right hand, which caused Margaret to wonder at his cool- 
ness until she heard the cause. 

“Thank God, he will fight no more for the Burgrave 
or for any one,” he whispered, while a gleam of satis- 
156 


An Enemy Turned Friend. 


faction lighted his swarthy face, ^‘he has but three fingers 
on his right hand.” 

After a time, Arnold stirred uneasily, opened his eyes, 
and looked about him with bewildered gaze, and asked 
for the Burgrave. 

“You are in good hands my boy said his uncle while 
tears of joy filled his eyes at hearing the loved voice. 

“Uncle, dear uncle, are you here, and Margaret? Am 
I dreaming?” 

“No, not dreaming;” answered the girl, blushing vividly 
as she touched his wounded hand, “but you have given 
us a great fright Sir shield-bearer.” 

He glanced at the hand which they had bathed and 
bandaged, then arose from the pillow. 

“The Margrave Frederick; was he saved?” 

“I am sure of it,” comforted Hans ; “for just as I 
dragged you away from danger, a giant of a man rushed 
in, wielded his sword right and left, and the Pomeran- 
ians — God pity them! fell like leaves in a strong wind.” 

“Thank heaven that he was saved!” murmured Arnold 
devoutly. 

“I will never give thanks for that ;” added the old man 
bitterly, “but now you must sleep.” 

Two days passed and Arnold, owing to the devoted 
care of his uncle and Margaret, was able to sit by the 
window and look out upon the street, when he saw a 
stately horseman followed by a retinue of noblemen, bow- 
ing right and left in response to joyous greetings. “It 
is, it is he!” cried Arnold joyously and hurried to the 
door. 


157 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


^‘Who, but the Nuremberger complained Hans glanc- 
ing from the window; ‘‘now the boy will not think of 
his old uncle, all his love will be for the Franconian.” 

Margaret’s sweet face flushed with joy as the Mar- 
grave came in, his hand in that of Arnold. 

“Ah, here I see an old acquaintance;” he said pleas- 
antly as he nodded to Spoorman. 

“Yes we met at Kremmer dam;” replied Hans dryly. 

“I thought that we at last had become friends;” said 
the Margrave, “can you never forget that your master 
and I were enemies ?” 

“Never, never will I forget;” and the old man hurried 
from the room. 

“That iron is hard to melt;” smiled Frederick; “it 
would have pleased me to have had him meet me in a 
different manner, but I will not let that cloud my happi- 
ness in seeing you alive, whom I thought dead or a pris- 
oner of the Pomeranians ; and I am also glad to see you 
in such pleasant company,” and he glanced at Margaret. 

“She is the daughter of Wilkin Wolffen who was 
tower-watcher at Plau Castle, gracious Margrave.” 

“And you have known him for sometime?” he said 
turning to her. 

“Ever since he rescued me from robbers in the forest ;” 
replied Margaret. 

“And in return she saved me from the Pomeranians;” 
supplemented Arnold. 

Tell me all about it;” said the Margrave full of in- 
terest ; and Arnold told the story of his deliverance ; “but 
iS8 


An Enemy Turned Friend. 


gracious Margrave,” he added, the Pomeranians have 
prevented me from ever again handling a sword; two 
fingers of my right hand are gone.” 

“By St. Gillian that is a misfortune;” said Frederick 
sadly, I had hoped to reward your bravery by giving you 
the position of Major on my staff, but must give up the 
thought of having you by my side. But halt! I have 
another position to offer you, you have hunter and for- 
ester blood in your veins will you accept the title of 
Master Huntsman of his Grace, the Electoral Prince 
Frederick of Brandenburg?” 

“Oh your Grace, nothing could please me better.” 

Then that is settled. Though I cannot have you by 
my side in the time of war, yet in the time of peace we 
will hunt together in the great forest. The hunting lodge 
is now unoccupied, and you can take possession at any 
time, for it is well and comfortably furnished. I will re- 
turn to Brandenburg to-morrow and hope you will fol- 
low as early as possible. It will be lonely in the lodge 
for you Herr Master Huntsman, you should have a 
wife.” 

“Margaret has promised to be my wife, gracious Mar- 
grave ;” replied Arnold with beaming eyes. 

“Then that too is settled and I am well pleased; and 
taking kind leave of the young people, he joined his wait- 
ing retinue and rode away. 

Hans Spoorman witnessed the marriage of his loved 
nephew to the one above all others that he would have 
chosen for him, and returned to Brandenburg with them ; 

159 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Refonnation. 


but they could not induce him to live in the lodge that 
belonged to the enemy of his loved and dead master — 
Dietrich Von Quitzow. 

But he took up his dwelling-place in his former cabin 
in the forest, for the reason that it belonged to Friesack; 
and Friesack was now the property of young Dietrich 
Von Quitzow. The Margrave Frederick had made him 
owner of it in acknowledgment of his having followed the 
example of his uncle Johann and become a faithful fol- 
lower of his ruler — Frederick Von Hohenzollern. 


i6o 


CHAPTER XV. 

Back to Franconia. 

In most of Frederick Von Hohenzollern’s endeavors 
for promoting the peace and prosperity of the people of 
Brandenburg, he had reached his aim; and his struggle 
to recover Uckermark was no exception. 

After the battle of Angermund, the Pomeranians were 
so weakened that they made but few more attempts to 
retain it and shortly after it came into the possession of 
its rightful ruler. 

He had won by his wise and just leadership the ad- 
miration and esteem of his once powerful intractable ad- 
versary the Knight Johann Von Quitzow, who was now 
one of his most faithful friends and helpers. 

No one rejoiced more over this friendship than did 
Agnes, the wife of Johann; for peace, happiness and 
prosperity had again come to their home. 

The nobility of Brandenburg, friends of the once out- 
lawed man, and enemies of Frederick — met in Wilsnach 
in the same apartment of the inn where they had once 
entered into covenant against their ruler, and celebrated 
a festival of peace.” 

But the Margrave’s anxieties and endeavors had not 
come to an end. The doom of the martyrs John Huss 
of Bohemia, and Jerome of Prague — had called up a 
fearful uprising in Bohemia, for both of the outlawed 
reformers were held in the highest esteem. 

i6i 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


The Bohemians entertained a bitter hatred of Kaiser 
Sigismund for the reason that after the ban of the em- 
pire had been pronounced against Huss and Jerome for 
heresy, and they had for the same cause been excom- 
municated by the pope, Sigismund violated the safe con- 
duct he had given them for their journey to the Council 
of Constance. 

They had been summoned to the council to answer to 
the charge of heresy, and there were burned at the stake. 

While the Bohemians were thus incensed at Sigismund, 
his brother — Wencelas — king of Bohemia died, and Sig- 
ismund was heir to the throne, but the people indignantly 
refused to receive him. 

Sigismund was incensed at this opposition and sought 
to inforce by the power of the sword what they refused 
to give willingly. 

In vain did the Electoral Prince Frederick advise the 
angry kaiser to compromise in some way with the enemy, 
that a bloody war might be avoided; but influenced by 
the intolerant ecclesiastics, he would not listen to the 
wise and sincere admonitions, but must give vent to his 
anger in his own way. 

Owing to this may be traced the beginning of the 
terrible Hussite war which lasted from 1420 to 1436, and 
for sixteen years raged in the northern and middle 
parts of Germany with great fury causing devastation 
and inexpressible misery. 

In his position as Electoral Prince of the empire, Fred- 
162 


Back to Franconia. 


erick was compelled to espouse the cause of the obstinate 
Sigismund, which he did with a heavy heart. 

He ardently desired to remain with his people in 
Brandenburg, but there was no alternative; and it being 
his duty, he did all in his power in aid of the kaiser. 

At the head of a company of brave sons of Nurem- 
berg, he undertook the difficult task of protecting the 
sacred things of the empire from the hands of the rav- 
aging Hussites. 

Among these sacred things was the crown of Charles 
the Great, his sceptre and his sword; the point of the 
spear that had pierced the side of our Saviour, and many 
other relics. 

These sacred things of the German nation, had, until 
the time of Charles IV, been kept at Nuremburg, or at 
Frankfort on the Main; and Charles gave the German 
Electoral Princes the promise that he would keep them 
under his government as heretofore but had not kept his 
promise ; instead, had sent them all to his beloved 
Bohemia. There, on the river Beraun, he had a castle 
erected to which he gave the name of Carlstein; and it 
was there, against the will of the Electoral Princes and 
the people of Nuremburg, that the sacred things were 
taken in 1350, and it was at that place that the terrible 
Hussite war had its beginning. 

Kaiser Sigismund had surrounded Carlstein with a 
brave company of soldiers, but the determination of the 
Hussites to keep these treasures in Bohemia grew 
stronger each day, and they attacked the castle with such 
163 


Prince Frederick and the Dazvn of the Reformation. 


fury that the cry went up that the treasures would be lost 
to Germany. 

But the watchers of the treasures were on the side of 
the Nurembergers; and although the Hussites fought 
furiously with swords and spears, clubs and battle-axes, 
they were defeated, and fled ; the castle door was opened 
and Frederick and his men marched in. 

He took the crown and other treasures in his pos- 
session, and tears of joy rolled down the gray beards of 
many of the soldiers, that they would again return to 
their place in Nuremberg; and thus Germany’s crown 
was rescued from the hands of the Hussites by the Elec- 
torial Prince of Brandenburg — Frederick Von Hohen- 
zollern. 

But the terrible Hussite war raged on, and Sigismund 
called together an army of ten thousand men under the 
command of Frederick, yet they were defeated by the 
Hussites under the leadership of Ziska and Prokopius. 

Instead of this result being a reason for Sigismund to 
proclaim the peace which Frederick so insistantly ad- 
vised, it only embittered him the more against the Hus- 
sites; and he raised an army of one hundred thousand 
men, determined to conquer the people who had refused 
to have him rule over them; but even that great army 
was forced to retreat. 

The Hussites had not confined their depredations to 
Bohemia, but spread over neighboring lands, murdering 
and plundering. Towns and villages were made heaps of 
ashes and the bodies of men and animals covered the 


Back to Franconia. 


field. A cloud of smoke by day, and fire by night marked 
the path of the terrible Hussites. 

In revenge against Frederick as field commander, they 
invaded Brandenburg, carrying death and destruction; 
but at length the city of Bernau became a bar to further 
depredation. The brave people of that city kept the 
enemy at bay, until the son of Frederick — afterward 
Frederick II — called together an army, and hurried to 
their assistance. 

This intreped nineteen years old boy, the son of a 
brave father, attacked the enemy with such skill and 
energy that they retreated, leaving their weapons, which 
Bernau has kept carefully, as mementoes of the Hussite 
war. 

Sigismund, at length seeing the necessity of making 
peace yielded to Frederick’s advice; and at the Council 
of Basel in the year 1436, a compromise was effected 
whereby the Bohemians acknowledged him as their sov- 
ereign. He died the following year and the throne of 
Germany was without a sovereign. 

The Electoral Princes had such unbounded confidence 
in Frederick, that they wished him to be the successor of 
Sigismund, but he would not accept the honor, instead, 
he used his influence in favor of Albert of Austria. 

Now that peace had again spread its blessings over 
Brandenburg, Frederick felt that he could be spared to 
return tp his beloved Franconia and his wife — the Prin- 
cess Elizabeth who had shared his anxieties, and grieved 
i6s 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


because of his dangers, was happy in the prospect ©f 
returning to her home in the Castle of Nuremberg. 

Frederick was yet in the prime of healthy, vigorous 
manhood; was of noble presence, and one of the hand- 
somest men of his time. He had a cultivated mind, was 
a fine Latin scholar, and understood the French and 
Italian languages as thoroughly as that of his own coun- 
try; therefore he looked forward with keen pleasure to 
the enjoyments of literature after the years of stress and 
strife which had been his lot. 

With this happy change in prospect, he left the govern- 
ment of Brandenburg in the hands of his two sons, and 
made arrangements for his departure. 

There were many who sincerely grieved to part from 
him, but no one felt the coming separation more keenly 
than did Arnold Hagener, and through him, his wife, 
Margaret. They could scarcely believe that such sadness 
would come to them; but were compelled to believe it, 
when a message came from Frederick requesting Arnold 
to accompany him to the borders of Franconia; then 
there could be no more doubt. 

The next morning Arnold, arrayed in the uniform of 
the body-guard of a prince, stood ready for the journey. 
“He is coming!” cried his little three years old son, and 
a few minutes later the Margrave descended from his 
horse and entered the lodge. 

“What! tears in your eyes, Arnold and Margaret, be- 
cause a tired soldier is about to take rest in his quiet 
home?” 


i66 


Back to Franconia. 


“But we cannot but grieve that you will not be in 
Brandenburg;” replied Arnold with trembling voice. 

“I will leave my sons to continue what I have begun 
with much care and weariness; and Arnold, I fell sure 
that you will be as faithful to them as you have always 
been to me.” 

“God helping me, I will ;” he replied earnestly. 

“Now we will go, that I may be far on my way before 
night sets in;” and he stretched out his hand to Mar- 
garet in farewell; and Arnold kissed wife and children 
and followed. 

The Prince and his retinue soon reached the heart of 
the forest, when under a great oak tree he noticed a 
new-made grave, and halted to view it. 

A cross was at the head of the mound, and at the 
foot a wreath of fresh wild flowers. 

“Whose grave is this Arnold?” he asked. 

“It is that of an old forester and huntsman;” he re- 
plied, while his eyes grew dim with tears. 

“Your uncle? Hans Spoorman, and you did not tell 
me? Why was it?” 

“It was my uncle request that I was not to mention his 
death to you unless you asked for him.” 

“I wonder why? There was no one whom I honored 
and respected more highly ; I would have given much to 
have won him as a friend.” 

“You did win him, gracious Margrave.” 

“I won him for my friend?” cried Frederick, his eyes 
filling with tears of pleasure. 

167 


DFC '.5 ^913 


Prince Frederick and the Dawn of the Reformation. 


“When death was near, his heart turned to you next 
to his Saviour; and words of praise and blessing were 
upon his pale lips.” 

“Thank God! To hear this is a heartfelt joy;” said 
the Margrave deeply touched; “and you buried him in 
this solitude.” 

“Yes, your Grace, that too was his wish ; he longed to 
rest where he had passed most of his life.” 

“Rest in peace; thou noble, faithful Brandenburger !” 
said the Margrave, and turning from the lowly grave the 
cavalcade passed on. 

When it reached the boundary of Brandenburg, Fred- 
erick descended from his horse — as did all the members 
of his retinue, and looking for a moment toward the 
home and country he was leaving, he knelt and prayed 
that God would bless and protect it. 

“It is in His hands ;” he said in a low tone as he arose, 
and gave one parting look toward it, “and now Arnold, 
my loved, faithful friend, farewell !” and putting his arm 
about him pressed him to his heart. They mounted their 
horses, and Frederick’s face was turned toward Fran- 
conia, Arnold’s toward Brandenburg, and they never 
saw each other again. 


The End. 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 


